Born June 27, 1939
McAdam, New Brunswick, Canada
Died August 30, 2024
Morrisville, Vermont
Details of services
An event to celebrate and remember Tony Smith’s life will be held soon. Burial will be in Rockland Cemetery in McAdam, New Brunswick, later this fall. If you would like to be notified when these events are scheduled, please call or text George Putnam at 802-309-7598 or email him at gsputnam@gmail.com.
Alton William Smith, 85, died peacefully on Friday, August 30, 2024, at The Manor in Morrisville, Vermont. Tony Smith, as he was known to all, was born on June 27, 1939, the only child of Ralph Gerald Smith and Ethel (Short) Smith of Vanceboro, Maine. Tony was born across the border in nearby McAdam, New Brunswick, his mother’s hometown, because that’s where the midwife was.
The family moved from Vanceboro to Hartford, Connecticut, when Tony was in high school. He graduated from Hartford Public High School in 1957. He served in the U.S. Navy 1958-1962 as a sonarman onboard destroyers including the USS Barry (DD-933) and the USS Lloyd Thomas (DD-764). Tony graduated from the University of Connecticut, Storrs, in 1968 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English. He did graduate work in the English department at Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana.
Tony moved to Burlington, Vermont, in 1971. He worked for 38 years for the Vermont Department of Employment and Training (later the Vermont Department of Labor) as an Employment Specialist and Veterans Representative. Tony helped many people find employment. Job seekers would ask to work with him. He retired on January 1, 2010.
In 1975, Tony bought property in Wolcott, Vermont. He soon built a house, moved into it, and changed his work location from Burlington to Morrisville. He lived in that house until June 2024.
Tony lived an active life. He was a dedicated member of the Vermont State Employees’ Association. He was an active member of the Green Mountain Club, first the Burlington Section and later the Sterling Section. He was a member of the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC), Adirondack Mountain Club, and Adirondack 46ers (#3055W). He was interested in photography and music. As a youth in Vanceboro, he played the trumpet in the school band and played “Taps” at the town’s Memorial Day celebration.
Tony was an avid hiker, including in the winter on snowshoes and cross-country skis. In March 1992, he finished climbing all the 4000-foot mountains in New England and New York in the winter, thereby becoming a member of “The Northeast 111 Club” as recognized by the AMC Four Thousand Footer Club. Tony was #21 on the winter list, #201 on the all-season list. He completed winter ascents of the “New England Hundred Highest” mountains in March 1999.
The accompanying photo is Tony on Wildcat Mountain in New Hampshire on March 8, 1987, with Mount Washington in the background.
Tony was predeceased by his parents, all his aunts and uncles, and several cousins. A favorite uncle was Dr. Raymond Smith (1917-2018) who served in the U.S. Army Air Corps in World War II and was president of Michigan Technological University 1965-1979. Tony is survived by first cousins including Linda Doherty of Fredericton, New Brunswick; Sandra Andrew of Annisquam, Massachusetts; Jane Smith of White Oaks, New Mexico; Charlene Oba of Buckingham, Virginia; and others.
Tony loved nature and lived simply. He made friends wherever he went. His kindness and soft-spoken manner endeared him to everyone he met. He was a good man and a true friend. He will be missed by all who knew him. He will also be missed by his cat, Suri. A beloved dog, Ninja, predeceased him.
An event to celebrate and remember Tony Smith’s life will be held soon. Burial will be in Rockland Cemetery in McAdam, New Brunswick, later this fall. If you would like to be notified when these events are scheduled, please call or text George Putnam at 802-309-7598 or email him at gsputnam@gmail.com.
John Sharp and George Putnam, friends of Tony and winter hiking partners, would like to thank the many people who helped Tony during his final months. Caregivers Carol Piper, Peggy Forest, Christine Corbett, and Jennifer Manna were most kind and beneficial. Also, all the wonderful people at Lamoille Home Health & Hospice, Lamoille Health Partners (especially Dr. Tusa Van Vogelpoel), Copley Hospital, Morristown EMS, and The Manor. If you wish to make a donation in memory of Tony, we suggest those organizations or the Green Mountain Club.
Read the story on VTDigger here: Alton W. (Tony) Smith.