SMITH, Michael J., Sr.- Of Chelsea, April 29th at the age of 77. Devoted husband for 53 years to the late Catherine T. (Ryan) Smith. Cherished son of Josephine Smith of Chelsea and the late Michael G. Smith. Beloved father of Michael J. Smith, Jr. and his wife Susan of Saugus and Kim Ann Clifford and her husband James of Melrose. Loving grandfather of Ryan and Matthew Smith of Saugus. Also survived by many nieces and nephews. Family and friends are kindly invited to attend Funeral Mass celebrated in Our Lady of Grace Church, 59 Nichols Street, CHELSEA on Thursday, May 5th at 11 AM. Visiting Hours will be held at his late residence, the Smith Funeral Home, 125 Washington Avenue, Chelsea on Wednesday from 3-7 PM. Services will conclude with interment at Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett. United States Marine Corp. Veteran of the Korean Conflict. Late 25 year employee of Mal's Supermarket in Malden and member of St. Andrews BBC.
A lifelong resident of Chelsea, Michael passed away at the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston where he was transferred to late Wednesday evening to receive care and comfort in his remaining days. Healthy until the last few years, his illness became overwhelming at the end of January of this year, remaining at Massachusetts General Hospital for over 65 days until taking residence at the Chelsea Soldiers Home less then 3 weeks ago. A meat cutter all his life, he began training at the Brookfield Market on Broadway, Chelsea under the guidance of Phil Mullett, then up to Bellingham Square and the City Hall Market. For over 25 years until the store was closed and sold to Stop & Shop, he worked for Mal's Supermarket in Malden. In his retirement years he could be found as a fixture greeting guests at the family's funeral home in Chelsea and later at the Carroll Funeral Home in Malden.