Obituary of Dale A. Smith

Dale A. Smith July 6, 1958-February 5, 2016 Dale Smith beloved husband of Peg (Sullivan) passed away unexpectedly on Friday, February 5, at the age of 57. Dale often said that he couldn’t go anywhere without running into someone he knew, and he was right. Anyone who met Dale as a stranger left as a friend. Everyone who knew him knew how big his heart and laugh were, how hard he worked, and how much he loved his family, especially his wife, Peg, son, Matthew, and daughter, Meghan. Dale was born in Putnam on July 6, 1958, the youngest son of Rita (Jones) and John Smith and younger sibling to Melody and Sheila. He graduated from Putnam High School and became a licensed plumber working many years for Rovatti Plumbing in Putnam. He became the director of facilities and maintenance for the Putnam Public Schools, where he was a dedicated boss working for over 20 years. Dale built backyard playhouses for his children, wooden reindeer for his loved ones, and furniture for Peg, and he filled every room he entered, including the Elk’s Club where he was a longtime member, with jokes and stories. An avid and talented golfer, one of Dale’s greatest joys in life was getting to share his love for the game with his son, Matt. He coached the golf team from tiny Tourtellotte Memorial High School to a state championship win, won many tournaments in his own right, and was a member of Quinnatisset Country Club for decades, but his favorite moments on the course were spent teaching Matt, welcoming Matt into his beloved group of golf friends, playing father/son matches, and seeing his dreams live on in Matt’s professional career. Anyone who met Dale knew Peg, and anyone who knew Dale and Peg could see how strong they were together and how deeply they loved each other. Dale quickly won over Peg’s big Irish family when they married on August 20, 1983. They built a home in Thompson, which Dale was constantly personalizing. Peg could always count on Dale to fix things and to love her through thick and thin. Through the toughest trial of losing their son, Kevin, they held on to each other, and Dale was overjoyed when Meghan and Matt were born. Dale loved Meghan and Matthew fiercely and unconditionally. They always knew that they could count on him to coach them, cheer them on, and hug them. One home wasn’t big enough to hold Dale’s love, personality, or need for household projects. He and Peg had recently purchased a second home in New Hampshire, and Dale was looking forward to hiking Mt. Washington for his birthday, kayaking, fishing, and spending many more years doing what he did best: sharing fun and adventures with the people he loved. Dale was pre-deceased by: his parents, John and Rita Smith; beloved son, Kevin; and his father and mother-in-law, Timothy and Kathleen Sullivan. He is survived by: his wife of 32 years, Peg; his daughter, Meghan and her companion Sean Holden; his son, Matthew and fiancé Marcy Garrett; his sisters, Sheila (Leonard) Coderre and Melody (B.J.) Cassio; his sisters-in-law Eileen Sullivan, Mary Ann LaRochelle , Kathleen (Brian) Carey, his brother-in-law, Timothy (Sherri) Sullivan, many loving nieces, nephews; and his extended family of longtime friends. Calling Hours Wednesday, February 10, 2016 from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at the Smith and Waller Funeral Home, 148 Grove Street, Putnam, CT. Funeral Service Thursday, February 11, 2016 at 11:00 AM at the Funeral Home. Burial will be in the spring in West Thompson Cemetery, Thompson. Following the service a Celebration of Dale’s Life will be at Connecticut National Country Club,136 Chase Road, Putnam. Donations may be made in his memory to the American Heart Association, P.O. 417005, Boston, MA 02241-7005. Share a memory at www.smithandwalkerfh.com