Francis X Smith

Francis Xavier Smith age 77 died peacefully at his home in Sunapee on June 28th losing his courageous fight with cancer. His wife and their three children were at his bedside when he slipped into the spirit world.

He was born in Massachusetts in 1941 , the son of Fredrick Lowell Smith and Hazel Millmore both of Bangor Maine. He grew up in Saugus Massachusetts, in a wonderful family of five, having lost his father at age 7. He and his high school sweetheart, Jacqueline Falzarano, marriedin 1962 following his graduation from Bayshore Gardens Community College in Bradenton, Florida. Frank went on to obtain an undergraduate degree in history and a master’s degree in Education from Keene State College. Armed with a love of American and European history he happily spent 29 years teaching his subject area to his students at Newport High School. Retiring early he took up another love and interest, that of food and cooking and obtained a degree of Culinary Arts from New England School of Culinary Arts in Montpelier Vt. He served as Food Service Director at Sullivan County Nursing Home and also obtained culinary employment at several area golf courses. Frank and his wife Jackie and their three beloved children Gregory, Deborah, and Raymond traveled throughout the US on summer breaks in 1978 and throughout Europe in 1980. Their family travels took them to 48 US states and twelve countries across Europe, and to our wonderful neighbors of Canada and Mexico. Several Caribbean Island adventures also called out to them.

After retirement, Frank and Jackie spent winters in St. Augustine Florida where they volunteered for Habitat for Humanity for ten years helping to build over 70 pretty and efficient homes for the working poor. People who knew Frank loved him for his sense humor and sweet gentle soul. He and Jackie loved New York Theater and the people of New York City and Miss Liberty’s great melting pot of humanity across our vast and extraordinary country. He enjoyed local theater too and all the remarkable talents of those who light up our sometimes weary and troubled world. Frank revered the Boston Red Sox, Celtics and Bruins and appreciated all music from raggae to classical. He played the trombone. He was well known at the Sunapee Library as an ardent reader of history and fiction. He was a lover of gardening and planted a small but magnificent vegetable garden yearly. Frank and Jackie celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary on June 15th this year.

He was preceded in death by his adored mother and father “Hazel and Fred” and treasured mother and father in laws, “Donna and George” Falzarano of Saugus Mass, brother in laws “Frank” and “Tom,” his sister “Pat,” brothers “Jimmy” and “Richie,” and“ his young niece “Denise. ”

He is survived by his wife and three adult children, sister and brother in laws “Penny and Louie” daughter in laws, “Sabrina” and “Amanda,” brother in law “Bill,” sister in laws “Martha,” and “Virginia,” six precious “grands,” Aaron, Jackson, Josh, Heidi, Carl and Jason. In addition, many cousins, nieces and nephews are scattered about. He will be so missed by all who knew and loved him.

A celebration of his wonderful and dedicated life will take place at the home that he and his family built from scratch fifty years ago in Sunapee, NH at 494 North Road, on Saturday July 7,th from 1 to 5 PM. A guest book is available for signing on Facebook.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his name can be made to Habitat for Humanity, Heifer International, and Smile Train.

Enjoy your new adventure among the stars Frank. Wisper to us here on Earth and keep us safe with your ongoing wisdom and love.

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