Retired Boston Police Detective Joseph P. Smith, a lifelong resident of Charlestown, entered into eternal life on Saturday, May 15, 2021 at his home in Charlestown. He was 86 years of age.
Joseph was born in Boston on March 13, 1935, a son of the late William Smith and Agnes (Maloney) Smith. He grew up in Charlestown where he was educated throughout the Boston Public School system. Joseph enlisted into the United States Army on March 25, 1952 and served his country with honor and courage during the Korean Conflict. He was honorably discharged on March 24, 1955 with the rank of Corporal. Joseph was appointed to the Boston Police Department in 1961 and served in several districts throughout the city and several units within the department during his career. Throughout Joe's career on the Boston Police Department he was presented with several awards including the Walter Scott Medal for Bravery, The Thomas Sullivan Award, The Boston Police Relief Association Award and The Schroeder Brothers Memorial Award. He was also a member of The Boston Police Detectives Benevolent Society and The Boston Police Relief Association. He retired in 1990 from The Boston Police Department as a Detective with 29 years of dedicated service to the City of Boston. Following his retirement from the Boston Police Department, Joe worked as a Campus Police Officer for 5 years at The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (M.I.T.). In his spare time, Joe was an avid hunter and enjoyed spending time at his home in Maine.
Joseph is the beloved husband of 64 years to Frances R. (Reffi) Smith. He is the devoted father of Frances Harty and her husband Robert, Wayland Police Sergeant William Smith and his fiance Elise and Beth Fowkes and her husband Daniel. He is the loving Papa to Medford Police Officer Patrick, Robert, Daniel, Joseph, Molly, John the late Cayden and his great-grandson Ryan. He is the dear brother-in-law of Marco Reffi and the late Betty Hennessy and Rena Tripp. He is also survived by his many loving nieces and nephews.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend Joseph's visiting hours on Thursday morning, May 20, 2021 from 9 A.M. to 10:30 A.M. in The Carr Funeral Home, 220 Bunker Hill St. Charlestown followed by his Funeral Mass in St. Mary's Church, 55 Warren St. Charlestown at 11 A.M. His burial will take place at Oak Grove Cemetery in Medford.
In lieu of flowers, kindly make a memorial donation in Joseph's name to The Charlestown Boys & Girls Club, 15 Green St. Charlestown, Mass. 02129