James Gregory Smith

James Gregory Smith, of East Lyme, passed on September 19, 2017 after a long tough fought battle with cancer. He was 78 years old. James was born on June 11, 1939 in Nicollet, MN, the son of Maurice and Marie (Schueller) Smith.

He was a 1957 graduate of New London High School, then served in the United States Air Force in Mountain Home,Idaho. He remained in Idaho working as an Installer for Western Electric, until moving back to East Lyme, where he retired with 30 years service. Jim enjoyed camping, hunting, gardening, and working outdoors.

Jim is survived by his children, Gregory Smith and his wife Cheryl of East Lyme, Jo Anne Smith and her husband Steve Giannini of Harpster, ID, Elizabeth Pleva and her husband Joseph of Londonderry, NH, and former wife Joy Smith; siblings and their spouses John Smith (Patricia), Jerome Smith (Lois), Charles Smith (Diana) all of East Lyme, Joseph Smith (Theresa) of Niantic and JoAnneVanBattenburg (Scott) of Kirkland, WA; sister-in-law Louise Smith of Ledyard; grandchildren Antonio and Wyatt Smith, and Dan Pleva; and many loving nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother Maurice Smith.

We would like to thank the staff and volunteers at Backus Hospital and ECHO, especially Laurie and Annie, for their compassion and support.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on October 13,2107 at 11:00 a.m. at Christ The King Church, 1 McCurdy Rd., Old Lyme, followed by a reception with the burial at St Mary’s Cemetery, 600 Jefferson Ave, New London at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers memorial donations in his memory may be made to ctwoodlands.org. To sign the online guest book visit www.fultontherouxniantic.com.