Patrick Smith, Jr

Patrick Smith Jr.  passed away on April 11th, 2024. He was born on January 14th, 1932 in Ballyjamesduff, County Cavan, Ireland.  

He is survived by his wife Nelida DeCalvo-Smith; his son, Patrick A.(Karen) Smith, his children, Austin Smith, Kelsey (Allon) Rai and his great-grandchildren, Nora and Abigail).  His son, Kevin P. Smith, pre-deceased in 2021, and his children, Alexander and Kaitlyn, and their mother, Angelina.  Patrick is survived by his four step-children, Alex, Gabriel, Delia and Patricia.

Patrick grew up in the fields and hills of Derrylea, Ireland with his two parents, Patrick and Mary Smith(McBreen) and his five siblings, Susan, James, Anthony, Annie and Jack.   As a teenager, he shared how he would do his morning chores, have breakfast, then go to his Aunt’s farmhouse, do some more chores, and then have a “second” breakfast.   He loved fishing in the local streams in and around Ballysjamesduff.   He once got scolded by a local farmer for catching too many fish. He also loved tending to the cattle, livestock, and working on the family farm. 

In his twenties, Patrick went to London and worked for about a year and then returned to his homeland, in Ireland.   Some time thereafter, in 1958, he and his brother, James, went off to America for opportunities where they both found jobs in construction in New York City.   Patrick was a laborer and his brother, James, was a master carpenter.  After working for some time, Patrick saved up enough money and traveled back to Ballyjamesduff thinking that he was going to stay in Ireland, but after six months of no opportunities, he went back to New York.  Patrick found himself working on some high rises in Manhattan and the Bronx, the World’s Fair in Queens and Shea Stadium. After marrying Betty in 1963, he lived in New Haven than on to Meriden CT.

Patrick continued to work on various construction projects (including renovations at Choate, and Highway 95) in Connecticut.

Patrick, and his brother, James, and their sister, Susan would often get together most weekends and spend family time together.  He loved his nieces and nephew: Patricia and Mary (Smith), and Mary, Annie, Susie and James Jr. (McManus).

In his later working years, Patrick was a custodian for the Meriden Board of Education for 17 years. 

Patrick was also known as “Paddy” and he loved the Irish song “Come back Paddy O’Reilly to Ballysjamesduff”.   He was so proud of his Irish heritage.  

Paddy loved working in his garden and making his grass look so green.  One year, he harvested 700 pounds of potatoes and put them in his basement for cool storage.    He also loved taking drives with his wife, Nellie, and going to the Colony Diner in Wallingford for breakfast or lunch.  He loved making improvements to his home and taking walks in his neighborhood.  

Friends and family may visit the Spear-Miller Funeral Home, 39 South Benson Rd., Fairfield on Saturday May 4, 2024 from 10:30-11:30AM, A Funeral Service will take place at 11:30.In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Irish Gaelic American Club , care of St Patrick's Gaelic Football Club, 74 Beach Road, Fairfield, CT 06824. 

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