Obituary of Emil James Smith IV

Emil James Smith, IV, age 85 of Dunnellon, FL passed away on December 25, 2019 at the Legacy House with his wife, Sylvia, by his side. Born in Portland, OR on November 19, 1934, he was the son of Emil James Smith, III and Anna (Rader) Smith. Mr. Smith was raised in Seattle, WA and then became a long-time resident of Stratford, CT prior to his retirement to Dunnellon, FL. He was a graduate of Seattle Prep High School and then went on to earn his degree in Business Administration at the University of Bridgeport. Mr. Smith worked most of his life as a manager of Westinghouse/CBS in the broadcasting data center until his retirement. James loved the outdoors especially spending time by the ocean. He loved boating, fishing and just sitting in the sun. He was an avid golfer and spent time on the course until just weeks before his passing. He was a kind and gentle man who loved his family above all. In addition to his wife, Sylvia, he is survived by his sister, Nichole Smith of Stratford; his children, Emil James “Jamie” (Liz), Smith V of Derby, Michele Charney of Stratford and Danielle Civitello of Stratford; his stepchildren, Joanne Kelleher (Tim Johnson) of Southington, Barbara (Don) LaBonte of Brewster, MA, Joseph (Alison) Kelleher of Somerville, MA, Lynne (James) Thayer of Ocala, FL, Amy (Kevin) Clemons of Ocala, FL, Jeanine (Steven) Nemcroff of Davie, FL, and Maryane (Mark) Neureuter of Lockport, NY. He is also survived by several grandchildren, Emil James “EJ” Smith, VI and Emma Smith of Derby, Alexander Charney of Stratford, Gia, Jeffrey and Alena Civitello of Stratford, Sam and Ben Johnson of Southington, TJ and Tyler LaBonte of Brewster, MA, Fletcher and Violet Kelleher of Somerville, MA, James, Michael, Jessica and David Thayer, Alicia Laguna, Christien Neureuter, William Clemons, Matthew and Joshua Nemcroff; and great-grandchildren, Elizabeth, Layla and Josh LaBonte, Justin DeJesus, Madison, Luke, Isabel, Tyler, Lilly, Andrew, Mazie, Ella Mae and Tatum Thayer. He was predeceased by his wife of over 40 years, Anne Kelleher Smith; he stood by her side daily until her passing. James was also predeceased by his sister, Stephenie Smith, sons-in-law, Brian Charney and Frank Civitello and granddaughter, Elizabeth Clemons. James was blessed to fall in love again and remarried Sylvia Smith in March of 2018. They certainly did not have enough time together; however, Sylvia stood by his side from the time they met until his very last breath. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated on January 31, 2020 at 8:30 AM in Queen of Peace Catholic Church, 6465 SW State Road 200, Ocala, FL. An additional Memorial Mass will be celebrated on February 28, 2020 in Our Lady of Grace Church, 497 Second Hill Lane, Stratford, CT at 11:00 AM. Interment will be private. Memorial contributions may be made to the Connecticut Humane Society, 701 Russell Road Newington, CT 06111, www.cthumane.org or to the American Heart Association, 5 Brookside Drive Wallingford, CT 06492, www.heart.org. Online condolences may be made at www.wakeleememorial.com.