1928
Allen
2022
Allen Whitney Smith
June 27, 1928 — March 3, 2022
HOLDEN - Allen Whitney Smith, 93, passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 3, 2022, with his last moments surrounded by the love and care of his beloved family. Known as “Al” or “Smitty” by those close to him, Allen lived a life of wide-ranging and celebrated moments— from cross-country traveling to intimate cribbage tournaments. His warmth and joy for the present was infectious and left a deeply lasting impression on his family and friends.
Allen was born in Fitchburg on June 27, 1928, to parents Charles and Mabel (Flagg) Smith. Allen graduated from Fitchburg High School in 1946 and married his high school sweetheart, Dorothy (Gibbs) Smith, in 1948. The couple planted roots in Fitchburg, raising six children while Allen worked at Simonds Saw and Steel for 27 years, before accepting early retirement in 1974.
At Simonds, Allen developed a passion for woodworking and carpentry. He had a talent for furniture making. Family, friends, and acquaintances received countless handcrafted heirloom pieces, including grandfather clocks, coffee tables, and many, many, cribbage boards. Each item could be identified by locating his signature “AWS” and the date on its underside.
Allen’s handiwork extended beyond the workshop — an avid aviation enthusiast, Allen and his longtime friend, Paul Comeau, built and piloted their own plane from instructions found in Henley’s ABC’s of Gliding, and held its maiden voyage at Gardner Airport in 1970.
Allen’s journey through life saw many twists and turns, both geographically and spiritually. His heart led him to discover new places to go and ideas to consider. From living on a communal 1,300-acre farm in Grantham, NH, to settling down in a cozy bungalow in Holden, Allen felt happiest when he had a fresh pot of coffee with Dorothy by his side. Their bond remained as tenacious and strong as the day they met until Dorothy’s passing in 2013, blessing the couple with 65 years of marriage. The dragonfly is a symbol of transformation, and every time one crossed his path, Allen fully believed he’d been visited by his beloved Dot.
Later in life, Allen found companionship with his partner, Jan Maki. They shared many trips to Val’s and Dunkin’ Donuts, as well as summer jaunts to the Maki camp in New Hampshire. A photographer with a keen eye for both portraiture and landscape, Allen took every opportunity to capture the beauty he found in his cherished moments with his loved ones.
Allen is predeceased by his wife, Dorothy; his brother, Charles; his sons, Wayne, Larry, Curtis, and Ron; and his longtime partner, Jan. He is survived by his daughter, Patricia; his son, Brian; his daughter-in-law, Robin; and many nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. There will be no public service, and a private celebration of Allen’s life will be held at a later date.
To share a memory or offer a condolence please visit "The Tribute Wall."
Allen was born in Fitchburg on June 27, 1928, to parents Charles and Mabel (Flagg) Smith. Allen graduated from Fitchburg High School in 1946 and married his high school sweetheart, Dorothy (Gibbs) Smith, in 1948. The couple planted roots in Fitchburg, raising six children while Allen worked at Simonds Saw and Steel for 27 years, before accepting early retirement in 1974.
At Simonds, Allen developed a passion for woodworking and carpentry. He had a talent for furniture making. Family, friends, and acquaintances received countless handcrafted heirloom pieces, including grandfather clocks, coffee tables, and many, many, cribbage boards. Each item could be identified by locating his signature “AWS” and the date on its underside.
Allen’s handiwork extended beyond the workshop — an avid aviation enthusiast, Allen and his longtime friend, Paul Comeau, built and piloted their own plane from instructions found in Henley’s ABC’s of Gliding, and held its maiden voyage at Gardner Airport in 1970.
Allen’s journey through life saw many twists and turns, both geographically and spiritually. His heart led him to discover new places to go and ideas to consider. From living on a communal 1,300-acre farm in Grantham, NH, to settling down in a cozy bungalow in Holden, Allen felt happiest when he had a fresh pot of coffee with Dorothy by his side. Their bond remained as tenacious and strong as the day they met until Dorothy’s passing in 2013, blessing the couple with 65 years of marriage. The dragonfly is a symbol of transformation, and every time one crossed his path, Allen fully believed he’d been visited by his beloved Dot.
Later in life, Allen found companionship with his partner, Jan Maki. They shared many trips to Val’s and Dunkin’ Donuts, as well as summer jaunts to the Maki camp in New Hampshire. A photographer with a keen eye for both portraiture and landscape, Allen took every opportunity to capture the beauty he found in his cherished moments with his loved ones.
Allen is predeceased by his wife, Dorothy; his brother, Charles; his sons, Wayne, Larry, Curtis, and Ron; and his longtime partner, Jan. He is survived by his daughter, Patricia; his son, Brian; his daughter-in-law, Robin; and many nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. There will be no public service, and a private celebration of Allen’s life will be held at a later date.
To share a memory or offer a condolence please visit "The Tribute Wall."
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Allen Whitney Smith, please visit our flower store.
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