Lawrence Philip Smith, Jr., 74, beloved husband of Linda Smith, died peacefully following complications from a courageous battle with lung cancer on Thursday, October 20, 2016 while in the ICU at Massachusetts General Hospital surrounded by the comforting presence of his family.
Born in Lawrence, he was the eldest son of the late State Representative Lawrence P. Smith, Sr. and Marguerite (Caffrey) Smith. He grew up in Lawrence surrounded by his 14 brothers and sisters and graduated from the Lowell Trade High School in 1960. He went on to serve our country in the Coast Guard Reserves from 1961 to 1967 while simultaneously working as an electrician, going on to later serve as the Electrical Inspector for the City of Lawrence for nearly 20 years before pursuing several different business ventures. Larry enjoyed spending time at Salisbury Beach with both family and friends throughout his entire life. He also had a passion for politics which he acquired from his father. He ran the political campaigns for Larry LeFebvre, the former Mayor of Lawrence, and most recently served as the president of his condominium association. Larry’s other passion was football, he so looked forward to Sunday afternoons during football season watching his beloved New England Patriots ~ he couldn’t wait to hear what dry witty comments Bill Belichick would have to say after each game. And for those that knew Larry well, they also knew that he proudly achieved 39 and a half years of sobriety and had a passion for helping others achieve sobriety as well.
He is survived by his wife, Linda (Curtis) Smith of Salisbury, with whom he shared 23 and a half years of marriage; his son and future daughter-in-law, Lawrence Philip Smith III and Scarlette Balkus of Salisbury, MA; daughter and son-in-law, Wendy and Stephen Thomas of Peabody, MA; his daughter and son-in-law, Kristen and Don Jones of Laconia, NH; his daughter and son-in-law, Karly and Perry Cataldo of Auburn, NH; his amazing grandchildren, Nicole and Emily Thomas, Cody and Bailey Vachon, and Alexandra, Christina, Gabriella, Noah and Carter Cataldo. He is also survived by his sister Peggy; his brother Arthur; his brother Pat and his wife Joan; his sister Barbara and her husband Bill; his brother Neil and his wife Ann; his brother Ricky and his wife Maureen; his brother Frankie; his brother Paul and his wife Kate; his sister Christine and her husband Tom; and his sister Beth and her wife Mary, as well as many, many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brothers Fred and Jimmy, as well as his sister MaryEllen.
Relatives and friends are kindly invited to pay their respects and wish Larry peace in the next chapter of his life at 10 a.m. on Saturday, October 29th at Star of the Sea Parish, 18 Beach Road, Salisbury, Massachusetts, followed by a memorial mass at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Link House, Inc www.linkhouseinc.org/donate. At the conclusion of the mass, the family will host a celebration of life meal at one of Larry’s favorite places, the Salisbury Beach State Reservation in the outdoor pavilion which will be heated for this celebration. Please dress accordingly. To send an online condolence or for more information, please go to www.breenfuneralhome.com.