John William Smith, Jr., 74, of Wareham, died Wednesday, June 10, 2020, at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston after a brief illness. He was the husband of Pamela L. (DeGrasse) Smith.

Born in Raleigh, NC, and raised in Benson, NC, he was the son of the late Hetty (McLamb) and John W. Smith, Sr.  

John served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam war. He was assigned to the submarine division and was stationed at Charleston Naval Shipyard in South Carolina. While in basic training in New London, CT, he met his wife Pam. After their time in South Carolina, they moved to Wareham in 1972.  He graduated from Newbury College and worked as a manufacturer’s rep in the medical equipment industry for many years. Later in his career, he worked in the insurance industry. 

He was a member of Bay Area Senior Cyclists, the Lawrencian Ski Club in Bartlett, NH and volunteered at Damien’s Food Pantry. John also enjoyed travelling, sailing, biking and cooking. He loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren, who lovingly called him Potsie. 

Survivors include his wife Pamela L. Smith of Wareham; his children, Lisa Sullivan and her husband Thomas of Onset, Tiffany DeBlois and her husband Chip of Wareham and Christopher Smith of Wareham; his grandchildren, Amy Kenn and her husband Steve, Taylor Sullivan, Tommy Sullivan, Isabella DeBlois, Gabe DeBlois, Gavin Smith, Zachary Smith and Abigail Smith. He was predeceased by his sister and her husband, the late Joyce and Bill Phillips.

Due to the current health crisis, a celebration of life will be held at a later date.

Donations in his memory may be made to Dana Farber Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284. Arrangements by Chapman, Cole & Gleason Funeral Home, Wareham. To leave a message of condolence visit: www.ccgfuneralhome.com.