Loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend, Bernie was born March 24,1936 in Elizabeth, New Jersey and raised in Castleton, New York on the banks of the Hudson River with his mother and father John and Bernice (Bruna) Smith and younger sisters Joanne, Elizabeth (Betsy) and Kathleen. After an active childhood surrounded by aunts, uncles and cousins, Bernie graduated from Castleton High School in 1954 and soon met the love of his life, Joan DiAcetis of Ravena, NY whom he married in 1958. After the birth of their first child Kim, the young couple moved to Peters Dairy Farm in Castleton where sons Michael and Daniel joined the family. They all enjoyed a wonderful life on the farm and later moved to their own home on a hill overlooking the Hudson in the village of Castleton.
In 1973, Bernie began his career as an international machinery dealer with Gavlick Machinery Company in Torrington Connecticut, frequently traveling to the UK, Germany and Japan. With his career advancement came a move for the young family to Avon and later Canton, Connecticut, where Bernie eventually formed his own business CBC Group with his former colleagues.
At the behest of their close friends Connie and Bob Hurley, Bernie and Joan started their love affair with Peaks Island, Maine in 1969. Peaks Island became the family’s destination every summer for 46 years and their full-time home in 2002. Their friends and broader community on Peaks Island are responsible for some of the happiest days of their lives and led to Bernie beginning his last career as the island paperboy. The loving support of the Peaks Island community allowed Bernie and Joan to remain on the island well into their golden years. These lasting memories live strongly within Joan and the family today and we will be forever grateful.
Upon leaving Peak’s Island Joan and Bernie moved into the home of their daughter, Kim Durvett, and her husband, Paul, in East Sandwich, Massachusetts. Kim, Paul, and their boys provided countless hours of companionship, entertainment and laughter. This loving and generous household gave Bernie and Joan ring-side seats as they watched their grandchildren grow up and where Joan lives today under their constant care.
Bernie was a past member of the Club Golf Club of Avon and The Trefethen Evergreen Improvement Association. In addition to his family and career, Bernie’s passions were gardening, cooking, tennis, golf and being a connoisseur of fine red wines.
Bernie is survived by his beloved wife of 64 years, Joan (DiAcetis) Smith, his daughter Kim Durvett and husband Paul of East Sandwich, MA, son Daniel and wife Hannah of Hingham, MA and son Michael of Washington, DC. His grandchildren, David Smith and wife Maggie of Vail, CO, Ethan, Cole, Matthew and Daniel Durvett of East Boston MA, Sarah Smith, of Boston, MA, Margaret Smith, of Washington, DC, and Eleanor Smith of Boston, MA, sisters, Joanne Smith-Avella and her husband Peter Bernstein, Elizabeth Malatino and Kathleen Ricciardi, each of Saratoga Springs, NY, along with many nieces and nephew.
A celebration of life will be held on Peaks Island Maine in the Spring/Summer of 2022.
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