WEBSTER - Bennett J. Smith Jr., 91, died Saturday, November 19 at The Overlook care center after a brief illness.
He leaves his wife of 53 years, Carol H. (Breault) Smith of Webster; four children, Bruce J. Smith of Webster, Heidi A. Smith of Dudley, David J. Wasilko of Webster, and Seana H. Smith (Nicholas Bennett) of Irvington, NY; nine grandchildren, Heather Smith, James Smith, Matthew Smith, Dakota Woodford, Melissa Smith, Elizabeth Wasilko, Lauren Wasilko, Finn Bennett and Thea Bennett; and two great-grandchildren, Autumn Ciras and Charlie Ciras. He was preceded in death by his sons, Bennett J. Smith III in 2017, Brad J. Smith in 2021 and Daniel J. Wasilko in 2014, and by his brother Dr. Harry C. Smith, and his sister Elizabeth M. Keegan.
Bennett was born in Worcester on July 30, 1931, a son of Bennett J. Smith Sr. and Anna H. (Gatzke) Smith. He grew up in Webster attending local schools and graduated from Worcester Boys Trade School, spending summers on the lake and working in the family owned business, Gatzke Hardware. He often spoke fondly of his childhood on the lake in the 1930’s and 40’s, reminiscing about the days when most summer cottages had outhouses and lacked electricity. As a young adult, Bennett became a third generation Master Plumber following in his grandfather’s and father’s footsteps. He started his own plumbing, heating and contracting business, Smith Mechanical Company and a related plumbing fixture and tool company, Midstate Supply. Bennett was a tireless worker who persevered to make an indelible mark on his beloved hometown. He built and renovated many apartment buildings in Webster, most notably Lakewood Terrace Apartments on Thompson Road. He also restored many buildings on Main Street and played a big part in revitalizing the downtown of Webster at the end of the last century.
Outside of his profession, Bennett was an active member of the community with many diverse accomplishments. He was a volunteer firefighter in Webster, reaching the rank of Captain. He was active in the Webster Elks Club, at one time being named the Elks “Man of the Year.” He was a Corporator of Hubbard Hospital as well as a Reserve (volunteer) Deputy Sheriff for Worcester County. He was also an oil burner inspector for the town for many years, a position he greatly enjoyed. He was a member of the Board of Directors for Webster Five Cent Savings Bank and a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Oxford. Bennett enjoyed sailing on Webster Lake and Narragansett Bay and loved traveling both domestically and internationally. He loved attending athletic events that his children, particularly Bruce and Brad, excelled in and he was very proud of their accomplishments on the field. He and Carol spent many happy times on Cape Cod and in Naples, Florida with friends and family. He loved his family, his many pets, and his cherished wife Carol.
The family would like to thank the visiting nurses, the hospice nurses and the third floor staff at The Overlook for their professional and compassionate care of Bennett during his illness.
A funeral service will be held at 10:00 AM on Monday, November 28, at Zion Lutheran Church, 70 Main Street, Oxford (please meet at church). Burial will be private. Calling hours will be held Sunday, November 27 from 3:00 to 6:00 PM in Scanlon Funeral Service, 38 East Main Street, Webster. Donations in his memory may be made to the Webster Fire Department Social Club, 55 Thompson Road, Webster, MA 01570.