Alfred J. “Fred” Smialek of South Dartmouth, MA died on February 20th at St. Luke’s Hospital, New Bedford, MA. Fred was born in 1930 in Fall River, MA as the twelfth of thirteen children of Ann (Kaszowska) and Frank Smialek who had immigrated from Poland via Ellis Island. Growing up Fred attended the Blessed Virgin Mary National Catholic Church, including the Polish religious school. He was also an altar boy and sang in the Chopin Choir.
Fred graduated from B.M.C. Durfee High School and then earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Pharmacy from the New England College of Pharmacy (now part of Northeaster University). He later received a Masters in Business Administration degree from Northeastern. After undergraduate study he fulfilled his Korean War military obligation by enlisting the U.S. Navy for a four year tour of duty at Newport Naval Hospital, a year in Kwajalein in the Marshall Islands, and finally on a military transport ship.
Upon leaving the Navy, Fred became a Staff Pharmacist at St. Luke’s Hospital in New Bedford where he met his wife to be, Adele Croker. Fred and Adele were married for 54 years until Adele’s passing in 2013. Fred spent over 30 years at St. Luke’s, progressing from Staff Pharmacist to Chief Pharmacist to Associate and Senior Associate Director of Professional Services, to President/Chief Administrator. Prior to retirement, Fred spent 5 years as the Director of Middlesex County Hospital in Waltham, MA.
Fred was active in many hospital groups, including serving as President of the Mass Society and New England Society of Hospital Pharmacists. He was also an active community volunteer with the United Way, New Bedford Child & Family, the Huntington’s Disease Society, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Buttonwood Park Zoological Society where he served as a board member and as its President. Fred was also a very active parishioner of Grace Episcopal Church in New Bedford, serving as Senior Warden and Church Treasurer. He also assisted in Grace’s Food Pantry, Sunday School, and Narcotics Anonymous program.
Fred loved nothing more than spending time with family and friends. He especially enjoyed traveling with Adele and their children, holiday gatherings with extended family, good meals with good friends, and summers at Anthony’s Beach. He could also always be found in the grandstands of his son’s and grandchildren’s sporting events.
Fred is survived by his son Peter and his wife Lori Ann Hazell and their children Jacob, Andrew, and Krista of Belmont, MA as well as his son David and his wife Sharon (Burns) and their children Stephen, Sean, and Sarah of South Dartmouth.
Due to state regulations, funeral services will be private. Remembrances may be made in Fred’s name to the Memorial Fund of Grace Church, 133 School St. New Bedford, MA 02740