Robert Smiley

STERLING – Robert Smiley, 85, passed away peacefully Saturday, February 16, 2019 under the loving care of his family and the compassionate and caring staff at Overlook Masonic Home in Charlton. Born and raised in Sterling, Bob was the son Raymond and Katherine (Fox) Smiley and lived there his entire life. His wife of 10 years, Susan (Howell) Smiley died in 2011. His first wife of 35 years, Shirley (Peters) Smiley died in 1996.

Bob graduated from South High School in 1951. With a keen interest in agriculture, Bob attended and graduated from Stockbridge College of Agriculture at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst where he received both a bachelor and master degrees in Agriculture. After graduating college, Bob served his country in the United States Air Force for several years being honorably discharged in 1962 as a Lieutenant.

As a young man, Bob worked at his family’s apple orchard, Sterling Orchards, located in Sterling. He later owned and operated the orchard with his wife, Shirley and opened the Sterling Orchard’s Bed & Breakfast until her passing in 1996. Bob’s full time career was of over 30 years was working as the 4-H Agent for the Worcester County Extension Services.
He was a member of The First Church in Sterling and served as a deacon.

Bob served on the Sterling Finance Committee and was a long lifetime
member of the Trinity Lodge of Masons in Clinton and the Sterling Grange. Bob was passionate about educating interested young adults about horticulture. He was a state sponsor for deserving candidates to take part in the National Junior Horticultural Association.

Bob was your typical New England-grown Yankee that predicated his life on hard work, strong faith and devotion to his family and God, and unwavering patriotism to his country. He will be remembered as a great dad and grandpa and enjoyed traveling in his spare time.

He will be affectionately remembered and missed by his daughter, Heather Smiley and her husband, Tony Papandrea of Sterling; his son, Robert I. Smiley of St. Augustine, Florida; a brother, Malcolm Smiley of Sterling; three grandchildren, Julia and Anthony Papandrea and Amethyst Smiley; many nieces and nephews including Suzanne, David and Douglas Smiley with whom he spent a great deal of time with at the orchard. Besides his parents, Bob is predeceased by a sister, Eleanor.

Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Bob’s family from 5 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, February 20, at Miles-Sterling Funeral and Tribute Center, 100 Worcester Rd., Sterling. A funeral service honoring Bob’s life will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Thursday, February 21 at The First Church in Sterling, 6 Meeting House Hill Rd., Sterling. Interment will be held privately in the spring at Hillside Cemetery in Sterling. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Bob’s name to The First Church in Sterling, 6 Meeting House Hill Rd., Sterling, MA 01564.