Crawford Frederic Smith, Jr.

Crawford Frederic Smith Jr. - 95 yrs. old 
Born August 12, 1928 - Died May 2, 2024
Johns Island, SC

Crawford passed away peacefully in his sleep on May 2, 2024, after a long and happy life at the age of 95. 
 
He was the only child born to Crawford and Elizabeth Smith in Orange, MA. He enlisted in the United States Army in 1946 at the age of 17 after graduating from Orange High School. He served in WWII during the occupation period in Japan and was in Custer’s 8th Division. After serving in the Army, he attended the University of Massachusetts Amherst under the GI Bill and received a degree in business in 1951. 
 
He met the love of his life, Barbara Liakos, at a dance at Mountain Park in Holyoke. They were engaged in six weeks and married in six months, on January 25, 1953, at St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Springfield. He would always joke that he "would never make another quick decision again," though they loved each other dearly. They were married for 65 years. 
 
Crawford was a kind and gentle soul, and he and Barbara raised four children in Springfield, MA, where they lived for 67 years. He worked most of his career at General Fiber Box in West Springfield. He always enjoyed the opening day of baseball, as well as watching college football. He coached little league baseball for his sons Dan and Mark, and he also took time off work to watch his oldest son, Fred, play varsity tennis during his high school years. He always put his family first and loved his children and wife more than anything. He never asked more of you than you could give, and he made sure all of his children got an education. He was the best husband, father, and grandfather. The family enjoyed many summer vacations with him and Barbara at Kiawah Island, SC. After Barbara passed away in 2018, Crawford moved to Corinth, Texas, and then Johns Island, South Carolina, where he lived with his youngest son, Mark, and his wonderful daughter-in-law, Lisa. In 2022, Crawford moved to the Veterans’ Victory House in Walterboro, South Carolina.

He was predeceased by his parents Crawford and Elizabeth Smith; his in-laws Peter and Georgia Liakos; his beloved aunt Gretchen Smith, who helped raise him as a child; and his wife Barbara. He leaves behind four children: Dr. Crawford "Fred" Smith III, PhD (Martha), Carmel, IN; Dr. Daniel Smith, MD (Sherry), Fletcher, NC; Mark Smith (Lisa), Johns Island, SC; and Diane Arventos (Daniel); Agawam, MA. He also leaves behind seven grandchildren: Caitlyn Smith (Robert Gradeless), Andrew Smith (Jamie Siegel), Hannah Smith Kiefer (Nathan), Ryan Smith, Matthew Smith, Nicholas Smith, and Brittney Smith. Additionally, he leaves behind four great- grandchildren: Jack Kiefer, Calvin Kiefer, Sylvie Smith, and Penelope Smith. 

The Smith family wholeheartedly thanks the administration and nursing staff at the Veterans' Victory House and Patriot Hospice Services in Walterboro, SC, for their loving care and compassion of Crawford during his stay.

A Committal Service for Crawford will be held Monday June 17, 2024 at 10:00am at the Massachusetts Veteran Memorial Cemetery Chapel, Agawam, MA.
 
Donations in his honor can be made to Salvation Army, Dogg Starr rescue of Avon, CT, and Autism Society of North Carolina.