Published in the August 21, 2015 edition
MELROSE — Horace McNutt Smith Jr., 87, formerly of Melrose, passed away peacefully on Aug. 7, 2015 at Westford House.
He was the loving husband of the late Mary Ann (Slemp) Smith, with whom he shared 60 years of marriage. He is survived by his daughter Ellen Williford and her husband Tony of Fulshear,Texas; his son Jeffrey Smith and his wife Susan of Atkinson, N.H., and his son Bradford Smith and his wife Eileen of Westford. He was the loving Grampy to Rebecca Smith, Alexander Smith, Leah Rogers and her husband Joe, Katie Carella and her husband Charles, Michael Smith and his wife Kayleigh, Eric Smith and his great-grandson Brenden Smith and great-granddaughter Parker Smith.
Horace graduated from the University of Michigan in 1952 and then joined the U.S. Navy. He served aboard the USNS David C. Shanks, was stationed in Hawaii, Japan and Alaska and was honorably discharged in 1955 at the rank of Lieutenant JG. He served another 12 years in the Naval Reserves, attaining the rank of Lieutenant Commander. Horace retired from MIT in 1988 after 20 years, where he worked in the admissions office for the graduate school of electrical engineering and computer science. Horace loved to travel across the United States and overseas. He loved bird watching, growing vegetables, fly fishing, trading stocks, dining out with Mary Ann and spending time with family. The family would like to acknowledge the devoted neighbors and friends from Vinton Street and Brunswick Park of Melrose.
A celebration of life, including a Dixieland Jazz Band, for family and friends will be announced at a later date. Horace will be buried alongside his wife in Christiansburg, Va. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to either PBS or the Alzheimer’s Association.
