Francis "Frank" A. Smith, Jr.

Francis (Frank) Ambrose Smith Jr, 93, of Salem, NH, formerly of Reading, MA, passed away on Sunday, October 27, surrounded by his loving family. Frank was the husband of Arline Smith for 69 years. They raised their family in Reading. After retirement, Frank and Arline lived in Ogunquit, ME and Fort Myers Beach, FL before settling in Salem, NH. 

Frank was born in Woburn, MA, on May 13, 1931, to Frank and Agnes Smith of Winchester MA. He was predeceased by sisters Mary and Jeanne Smith, and brother Rev. William Smith. He graduated from Winchester High School, Class of 1948. Following high school, Frank began work at Shawmut Bank of Boston before enlisting in the U.S. Air Force. He served honorably in the 5th Air Force, stationed in Colorado Springs and Korea, from 1950-1954, attaining the rank of staff sergeant. His many accomplishments included starring in the outfield for his squadron baseball team, and, in his words, “flying a desk”. Upon discharge from the service, he resumed his banking career at Shawmut (later Bank of America) and after a 42 year career, retired as Senior Vice President of Operations. He continued applying his vast banking knowledge as a consultant in the greater Boston area for several years.

Frank quite literally stumbled upon his wife, Arline Beaulieu, at a dance at the Wakefield Boathouse, when she stepped on his foot. He awkwardly feigned injury in an attempt to woo his future bride. Her response was to request his ID as she was sure Frank Smith was an alias. Their whirlwind romance launched a 7 decade marriage, which began in 1955.

Frank diligently applied himself to his education, graduating Magna Cum Laude from Boston University in 1964 with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. This accomplishment was captured in the Boston media with front page photos of Frank, Arline, and their then 7 children (number 8 was still in the early planning stages). He went on to graduate from Williams College of Banking and The Graduate School of Banking at Rutgers, and completed executive education programs that were instrumental in his advancement at the bank.

A Reading resident for 34 years, Frank became involved in local politics, driven by a firm belief he could offer perspective based on his business acumen, parental experience, and strong sense of fairness to others for the betterment of the local community. He served Reading as a Town Meeting Member (10 years) and was elected to both the School Committee (9 years) and Board of Selectmen (3 years), serving as Chairman on both. 

Frank’s interest in Reading sports went from enthusiastic fan to a participatory role in the late 1970’s, as he began photographing Reading Memorial High School sports teams. Frank is fondly remembered by countless Reading athletes for gifting his photos to them. It is estimated he gifted more than 70,000 photos over the years. Frank was a founding committee member of the Reading Memorial High School Athletic Hall of Fame, established in 1995, serving as its first president. He was later honored with the Cliff Allen Award for significant contribution as a volunteer to Reading Memorial High School athletic programs at the Hall of Fame induction ceremony in 2003.

While Frank’s accomplishments were impressive, none were more fulfilling to him than his family. Frank and Arline had 8 children, 26 grandchildren, and 28 (and counting) great-grandchildren. Doting over his loved ones went from a pressure-filled juggle in the early years to a proud passion for the remainder of his life. He was fiercely devoted to his eight children. He offered sound advice and encouraged them to think for themselves and make their own decisions, instilling in them the same sense of fairness he brought to his civic work. There were fun-filled summer trips to Hampton Beach, station wagon-packed trips to visit “The House” in Winchester, and visits to northern relatives in various Maine and Mass locations that provided his children with lasting memories.

When grandchildren began to arrive, they called him Pappee, and “Pappee Power” became the rally cry of his massive crew. Frank strived to immerse himself in the trials and tribulations of each one. Later, involvement in children’s activities, attendance at impending births, sage guidance, and incredibly bad Pappee jokes became hallmarks of his golden years with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Frank was a lifelong Catholic and was passionate about Boston sports teams, in particular the Red Sox and Patriots. He enjoyed running in road races, competing in dozens of races in and around Reading, and also played on many town softball teams in the 70’s and 80’s.

Frank is survived by his wife Arline, their children and their partners: 

William Smith, Charlene Smith-Fadden (Keith Fadden), Marilyn King (Fredric), Maureen Smith (Alex Krauss), Stephen Smith, Paul Smith (Katie (Shiner)), Rosemary Smith-Berry (Donald Berry), and Suzanne Smith (George Joudrie). Frank is also survived by Linda Moretti, Susan (McCulloch) Smith, and Steve Flynn. 

He is also survived by his Grandchildren and their partners: 

Rebecca Smith, Daniel Smith (Ashley Van Scyoc), and Gregory Smith; Ashley Fadden, Erin Fadden, Kristen Duval (Benjamin), Brian Fadden (Jaime (Rondeau)), and Kevin Fadden; Derek King (Christina Hammonds Reed), and Ronnelle King (John Kaminski); Melissa Aronis (Tom); Laura Chesney (Brian), Sarah Dion (Jon), Ellen Therrien (Dan), Matthew Smith (Kim McLaughlin), and Mark Smith (Jessica (Valera)); Ryan Smithman (Lisa), Cory Smith (Jennifer Tietz-Smith), Paul (PJ) Smith, and Kelsey Smith (Lucas Cerqueira); Michael Berry (Jessica Nuttall), Lindsey Bevington (Domenic), Alex Berry, and Stephen Berry; Jack Flynn (Ashley Anderson), and Liam Flynn (Libin Gurase).

Rounding out the family, he leaves his great-grandchildren: 

Allie and Caleb Duval; Benjamin King; Cheyanne and Trevor Hoole; Valerie, Blake, and Madeline Chesney; Jordyn, Cooper, and Mason Dion; Charlotte, Clara, and Caroline Therrien; Kallie McLaughlin, Parker, and Brogan Smith; Joseph and Augustine Smith; Eleanor and Emmett Smith; Amora Bevington-Cedrone and Raegan Bevington; and Stacy Ricketts, Logan, Autumn, Rita, and Lucas Berry.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in the name of “Frank Smith Memorial Scholarship” to the Reading Scholarship Foundation, P.O. Box 492, Reading, MA 01867, or www.readingsf.org/donations/ (PayPal accepted).

Visitation will be held for Frank on Wednesday, November 6th from 4-8 PM at Doherty-Barile Funeral Home at 11 Linden Street, Reading. Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, November 7th at 10:30 AM at St. Agnes Church, 186 Woburn Street, Reading, immediately followed by burial at Wood End Cemetery, 33 Franklin Street, Reading.