Harold P. Smith

GOSHEN — Harold P. Smith, 90, passed away on April 11, 2019, at Pomperaug Woods Health Center in Southbury, Conn. 

He was predeceased by his parents Mabel (Quinn) and Philip Smith; his wife, Marcy (Frey) Smith; his son, Kevin Smith; his brother, Edward Smith; his son-in-law, Michael Savan; and his sister-in-law, Cheryl Smith.

He was born in New Haven, Conn., on March 14, 1929, and attended Spring Glen Grammar School and Hamden High School. 

He graduated in 1950 at the age of 21 from Yale University School of Engineering. There he was a member of Tau Beta Pi, the Engineering Honor Society. 

After graduation, Harold enlisted in the U.S. Navy, was commissioned as an ensign, and then served aboard the destroyer USS Lewis Hancock during the Korean War. He was chief engineering officer during offshore action in the Sea of Japan. 

After leaving active duty he served in the Naval Reserve for many years, retiring as lieutenant commander. 

He began his career as a chemical engineer at Naugatuck Chemical Company, a division of U.S. Rubber. From there he advanced to vice president of the Chemical Division of Uniroyal Inc. in Oxford, Conn. As part of Uniroyal Army Corps of Engineers, he helped to identify chemicals in the Naugatuck River occurring from the Flood of 1955. He then retired from International Tariff Management in Waterbury.

He was a devout Catholic and was active in his parish as a Eucharistic minister, religious education teacher, pro-life advocate and lector. He was a member of the Legion of Mary and the Knights of Columbus. 

He had a great love of family, reading, golf and fishing. Every summer Harold vacationed with family in Madison, Conn. 

Harold is survived by two brothers, Jerry Smith of Rochester, N.Y., and David Smith and his wife, Joan, of Mirror Lake, N.H.; three daughters, Marie Bate and her husband, Fred, of Goshen, Brenda Robinson and her husband, Dale, of New Boston, N.H., and Deborah Mahon of Waterbury, Conn.; eight grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

A funeral was held on April 16 from the Murphy Funeral Home in Waterbury to Blessed Sacrament Church for a Mass. Burial with military honors followed in Calvary Cemetery. 

His family would like to thank all the staff at Pomperaug Woods, Franciscan Hospice Care, Compassionate Companions, Bright Star and St. Mary’s Hospital. The family appreciates as well all the additional help and prayers given by others during these difficult times. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to EWTN (Global Catholic Network), Eternal Word Television Network, 5817 Old Leeds Road, Irondale, AL 35210. 

Go to www.murphyfuneralhomect.com for more information or to send an online condolence.