Kermit Irving Smith

Other Events and Attributes:

• Graduation: 1966, Brattleboro, Windham County, Vermont; He graduated from Brattleboro Union High School.
• Military: 25 Jun 1966 to 7 Jan 1970; Kermit served as an ordnance mechanic in the U.S. Navy. He was stationed on the U.S.S. Franklin D. Roosevelt, CVA 42, off the coast of Vietnam and in the Mediterranean Sea. He received the Vietnam Service Medal, the Republic of Vietnam Services Medal and the National Defense Medal.
• Obituary: 25 Feb 2012; Kermit Irving Smith, 64, of 498 Marlboro Road in West Brattleboro, died unexpectedly on Friday, February 24, 2012 at his home. He was born January 20, 1948, the son of Floyd H. and Maxine E. Smith in Brattleboro. Kermit grew up in Vernon and attended the Vernon Elementary School. He graduated from Brattleboro Union High School in 1966. Kermit served as an ordnance mechanic in the U.S. Navy from June 25, 1966 until January 7, 1970. He was stationed on the U.S.S. Franklin D. Roosevelt CVA 42 off the coast of Vietnam and in the Mediterranean Sea. He received the Vietnam Service Medal, the Republic of Vietnam Services Medal and the National Defense Medal. Over the years Kermit was employed at W.T. Grant, the Book Press, Redemption Metals, Dummerston School, SEVCA and Mastaler Cleaning Services. In 2008 he retired from HPC (formerly Bridgeport Metal Goods) in Hinsdale, N.H. after 30 years of dedicated service, mostly on the third shift. Kermit was an avid Boston Red Sox, Celtics, Bruins and New England Patriots fan and also enjoyed brook-fishing with his daughters. His love of NASCAR took him to races in Loudon, N.H., Dover, Del., and Richmond, Va. He enjoyed attending Colonel football, baseball and basketball games. Each year Kermit looked forward to receiving the newest Archer Mayor book for Christmas. He loved attending live theater, whether on Broadway, at the Ogunquit Playhouse in Maine, or at the Saxtons River Playhouse. Most recently he enjoyed reconnecting with old friends and co-workers and playing games on Facebook. Kermit is survived by his wife of 43 years, the former Patricia Taylor. He was married to his high school sweetheart by Rev. David Garrecht on September 21, 1968 at the Vernon Union Church. He is also survived by two daughters, Kristine M. Smith of Chester, Va. and Karin A. Smith of Brattleboro; his mother, Maxine Smith of Vernon; a brother, Albert Smith and his wife Susan of Easthampton, Mass.; two sisters, Mary Sawin and her husband Jesse of Athol, Mass. and Kathryn Knapp and her husband Richard of Brattleboro; several aunts and uncles; and many cousins, nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his father on February 6, 1999 and last week by his beloved cat Shadow. FUNERAL NOTICE: Funeral services in celebration of Kermit's life will be conducted Wednesday at 10 a.m. at Vernon Union Church with Rev. David Garrecht officiating. Burial will take place in Locust Ridge Cemetery in the springtime. Friends and family may call at the funeral home Tuesday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. Memorial contributions in Kermit's name may be made to the Reformer Christmas Stocking, c/o Brattleboro Reformer, P.O. Box 703, Brattleboro, VT 05302. To sign an online register book with messages of condolence please visit www.atamaniuk.com. Arrangements are under the director of the Atamaniuk Funeral Home./i> Published in Brattleboro Reformer from Feb. 25 to Feb. 28, 2012