Francis Henry Smith, Jr., 73, of West Wareham, died January 30, 2022, at Tidewell Hospice House in Bradenton, FL. He was the husband of Jean E. (Gibson) Smith and the son of the late Francis Henry and Ellen (Corse) Smith.

Born in Wareham, he was a life-long resident and a self-proclaimed “Herring Choker.” In their retirement, he and his wife Jean had been spending winters in Bradenton, FL.

Enlisting in 1966, Frank served proudly as a Marine for two tours of combat duty in the Vietnam War.  He was a life member of the DAV and the VFW (Benjamin D. Cushing Post 2425).

While Frank was starting his family in the 1980s, he began a career at the National Cemetery in Bourne, MA. After leaving there, Frank worked as a truck driver for many years, beginning at E.L. Morse Lumber, Northland Cranberry, RF Morse, and finally retiring from John Deere Landscape in 2013.      

Frank cared fiercely for his family, especially his wife, beloved daughters and grandsons. He was a charismatic and loyal friend who would give you the shirt off his back. He had an undeniable sense of humor and was known for his teasing nature. A true jack-of-all-trades, he helped to build his family’s home in West Wareham and restored an antique Volkswagen bug for his oldest daughter. In his later years, he enjoyed bird watching, rooting for the Patriots and Red Sox, and sharing stories and jokes on Facebook.

Survivors include his wife, Jean E. Smith of W. Wareham; 2 daughters, Catherine (Renn) Smith of Greenfield, MA, and Rebecca Smith and her husband Eric Steele of Fairhaven, MA; 2 grandsons, Atticus and Sirius Breitner of Greenfield, MA, and sister Frances (Fran) Florindo of W. Wareham, MA.  Frank was predeceased by his brother John Smith of Rochester, MA, and his sisters June Gainey of North Carolina, Joyce McWilliams of W. Wareham, MA, and Lucille Walker of Michigan. 

Visiting hours are from 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022, at Chapman Funerals & Cremations, 2599 Cranberry Hwy. (Rt. 28), Wareham, MA. His funeral will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 11, 2022, at the First Congregational Church, 11 Gibbs Ave., Wareham, MA. Burial will follow at the Massachusetts National Cemetery, Bourne, MA. A celebration of life will be held on his birthday in June.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Frank’s memory may be made to the Tidewell Hospice House, 2504 35th Avenue West, Bradenton, FL 34205, or a Veteran’s charity of the donors choosing.

For directions or to leave a message of condolence visit: www.chapmanfuneral.com