Walton Bruce Smith, III, 68, of East Hartford passed away on Wednesday, February 22, 2023 at Hartford Hospital. Born in Hartford on June 9, 1954, a son of the late Walton B. and Mary F. (Mikolajcik) Smith, he had been a life-long resident of East Hartford. Known as “Waldo” by many of his friends and family, he attended George J. Penney High School in East Hartford. Prior to his retirement, he worked on private railroads for over 30 years. Walton enjoyed hunting, fishing, and bird watching for the Connecticut Audubon Society. He was also a longtime fan of Formula 1 auto racing.
Walton is survived by a brother, Brian Smith and his wife Lynn of East Hartford; three sisters, Jackie Chase and her husband Robert of Bemidji, MN, Susan Smith-Bass and her husband Harlan of Fairfield, and Mary Smith-Gagnon of East Hartford with whom he made his home. He also leaves several cousins, cherished nieces and nephews, adored grandnieces and grandnephews, and many dear friends.
Walton’s family will receive relatives and friends on Thursday, March 2, 2023 from 4 – 7 pm at the D’Esopo East Hartford Memorial Chapel, 30 Carter Street, East Hartford. Private funeral service and burial will be held at the convenience of the family at Silver Lane Cemetery, East Hartford. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Walton’s name may be made to the Connecticut Audubon Society, 314 Unquowa Road, Fairfield, CT 06824. For on-line expressions of sympathy to the family, please visit www.desopoeh.com.
