James R. Smith

James Richard Smith, "Smitty/Jim" 81, of Willimantic, peacefully joined his soul mate and love of his life Cleo in Heaven, Wednesday May 30, 2012. They were married July 4th 1952 in St. Mary's Church in Willimantic. He was the son of the late Charles E. and Nellie Smith. He was the baby boy of five children. Jim leaves behind his loving children; Wayne and Janet Smith, Alice-Ellen and Tony Mauro, his grandchildren; Justin and Jillene Smith, Jillian Michele Smith and Anthony James Mauro and great granddaughter Illiana Smith. He also leaves his devoted sister Anita and husband John Foley, and his brother William Smith and his wonderful nieces and nephews who he enjoyed sharing a laugh with. Lightning, his granddog, will miss him calling him "Dummie Dog". He was predeceased by his brother Charlie, his best buddy, and his beloved sister Betty Reed and husband Arthur. Jim graduated from Windham Regional Technical School. He worked many jobs when he was young and shared those stories as we grew up. He was the "milkman" for Kramer's Dairy; he worked for the City of Willimantic and then the Town of Windham as a Machine Operator and "Mack" truck driver. He was a "connoisseur of metal" and with his brother Charlie, always bringing home "treasures". He loved to travel the outskirts of Willimantic as he went out to "see the world each day". Daddy was an avid and sometimes loud UCONN Girls Basketball fan and don't forget" Smackdown". Jim was a loving and quiet man who always had a gentile smile for everyone. He will be missed by all but will live in our hearts forever "Okie Dokie". His family will receive relatives and friends on Sunday, June 3, 2012 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the Potter Funeral Home, 456 Jackson St., Willimantic. His Funeral Mass will be Monday at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary Church, Valley St. Willimantic with assembly at the church. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery, Windham. In Lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Cleo and James Smith Memorial Scholarship @ Windham Tech c/o First Niagara Bank, 6 Storrs Rd., Willimantic, CT 06226. Please visit www.potterfuneralhome.com for online memorial guest book.