Berton Smith

Waterford — Berton C. Smith, 88, of Waterford, passed away on Nov. 4, 2017, at Lawrence + Memorial Hospital, New London.

Mr. Smith was born in Waterford on March 16, 1929, to H. Douglas and Ethel Smith. He graduated from Great Neck Elementary School and Chapman Technical High School in New London before attending Roosevelt Aviation School at Mineola, Long Island. He honorably served in the U.S. Navy flying as a plane captain on the PB 4Y-1-P’s, called Liberators. His tour of duty took him to Labrador and Alaska, and he received an honorable discharge in 1952 with the rank of aviation machinist mate 2nd. Upon returning home, he spent most of his working years as a wooden boat builder and marine mechanic for many marinas and boat yards, retiring from Port Niantic in 1994.

Mr. Smith married Agnes Gray Smith in Waterford on Sept. 19, 1953. She predeceased him.

Mr. Smith was a 69-year member and former officer of the Goshen Fire Department, Past Master of Konomoc Grange No. 41, active in the Boy Scouts Troop No. 29, a member of the Masons for more than 60 years, and was a member of the First Baptist Church of Waterford.

Mr. Smith is survived by two sons, Douglas (Janet) Smith of Canterbury, and Samuel (Amy) Smith of Lebanon; three daughters, Rosanna Parks of Waterford, Mary Sarafinas of Waterford, and Debora (Kenny) Hickerson of Ellenville, N.Y.; 13 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. He is predeceased by two granddaughters.

Calling hours will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 10, at Fulton-Theroux Funeral Home, 181 Ocean Ave., New London. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 11, in The First Baptist Church of Waterford, 105 Rope Ferry Road, Waterford. Burial with military honors will follow in Jordan Cemetery, Waterford.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to Boy Scouts, Troop No. 29 or Goshen Fire Department, 63 Goshen Road, Waterford, CT 06385.