December 8, 1931 — October 10, 2025
Born in Franklin, CT, on December 8, 1931, the son of the late Arthur L. Smith and Eleanor Beckwith Smith, Art was raised on a dairy farm. He attended a one-room schoolhouse through grade 8 and graduated from Norwich Free Academy in 1949. After graduation, he worked with his uncle as a carpenter before joining the U.S. Air Force, serving in Libya from 1952–1956. Following his service, he attended the University of Connecticut on the G.I. Bill and earned his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering in 1960. He married his first wife, Caroline (Callie) Morrissey Smith, in 1956, with whom he had two sons and a daughter. He married Charlotte in 1984, with whom he had his third son.
From 1960–2010, Art spent his entire career with National Grid (previously Mass Electric), first retiring in 1993 and later returning as a consultant for his deep institutional knowledge. He designed and modified power grids throughout Massachusetts and Rhode Island and took great pride in mentoring many young engineers.
Art was active in his community, serving on numerous organizations and boards, including Westborough Little League, Westborough Rec Basketball, and as a Boy Scout leader. He was Chairman of the Zoning Board of Appeals, a member of the Conservation Committee, and ran the Sunday School program at the Congregational Church for several years. Among his notable contributions was work on the ball fields behind Target (originally Sam’s Fields), where, in partnership with National Grid, he helped provide the first lit baseball fields in town. A lifelong UConn fan, he held season tickets for men’s and women’s basketball and followed them to many NCAA championships, sharing tickets with family.
He loved cooking, gardening, home renovations, playing games, singing ditties, and inventing rhymes. Time with his wife, children, and grandchildren brought him the greatest joy—especially when he could help with projects. An avid cook and baker, he delighted in over-feeding family and friends.
Art is survived by his wife, Charlotte; son Matthew and his wife Kim of Lebanon, CT; son Martin of Westborough; daughter Rebecca Welch and her husband Rich of Upton; son Todd and his wife Christy of Walpole; and his grandchildren Erik Smith, Benjamin Smith, Sydney Welch, Timothy Welch, Brynn Smith, Mackenzie Smith, and Jake Smith. He also leaves his nephew and nieces David Wood, Eleanor Dutcher, and Traci, Todd, and Paityn Hastings; his sister-in-law Anna Smith; his sister-in-law Sandra Allen; his brother-in-law Phil Allen and his nephews Mark and Brian Allen. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his brothers Burton, Richard, and Charles; his sister Evelyn Wood; and his niece Heather Primett.
The family extends sincere gratitude to the staff at Whitney Place in Westborough and to the staff of Salmon Hospice for their kindness, loving care, and friendship.
A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, October 17, at the Congregational Church of Westborough, 57 West Main Street, Westborough. Military honors will conclude the service, and a collation will follow in the vestry hall downstairs. Burial will take place privately with his family.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Art’s memory may be made to the Westborough Food Pantry, P.O. Box 502, Westborough, MA 01581, or online at westboroughfoodpantry.org.
