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ROBERT SMITH

Robert Augustus Smith Jr., 68, began his homecoming journey on November 28, 2019.

Robert, “Bob” as known by his loved ones, was born in Wheeling, WV on January 27, 1951 to Robert Augustus Smith Sr. and Sally Naomi Davis Smith (Jackson). Robert Sr. was a steelworker at Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel and Sally was a buyer for a goods company while also a school bus monitor for special education services.

After graduating from St. John Central High School in Bellaire, OH, Bob attended Wheeling Jesuit University and earned his B.S. in general science with a physics concentration.

He began his professional career working for OSHA in Ohio as an environmental health and safety chemist and then transitioned to an environmental specialist career with the Olin Corporation. He was ultimately hired for an environmental engineer position with Uniroyal Chemical Corporation soon after relocating to Connecticut. Later, Bob practiced his calling of sharing Christ’s love and guidance as a counselor at St. Francis’ Home for Children in New Haven, CT.

Pious and steadfast in his faith, Bob was a heavily involved member of St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church as a prolific baritone in their gospel choir, participating during Mass as a Eucharistic minister, and studying in the diaconate seminary program. Bob was not only an active Knight of Peter Claver and Knight of Columbus, but also was honored in 2007 with the Archdiocesan Medal of Appreciation along with his wife, Anna.

Robert was preceded by his beloved wife, Anna Beatrice Miller Smith.

He is survived by their children, Terence, Nichelle, Martin, Alexander and Annicia Smith; two brothers, Sydney Smith and Theodore (Ted) Smith; two sisters, Edith (Smith) Fuller and the late Rochelle (Smith) Hood; and a loving host of relatives and friends.

Services were held to celebrate Bob’s rich and fulfilling life on Wednesday, December 4, 2019 at St. Martin de Porres Church, 136 Dixwell Avenue, New Haven, CT. The viewing was held at 9 a.m. followed by the service at 10 a.m. The burial will be held in Wheeling, WV.