Neal Francis Smith

Neal Francis Smith, 84, of Hingham, died peacefully on Thursday, May 4, 2023 at the Pat Roche Hospice Home in Hingham. He passed away close to the ocean he cherished and the family he loved.

Born in Woonsocket, RI on December 3, 1938, he was the son of the late Emmett and Margaret (Radigan) Smith. Neal graduated from Woonsocket High School in 1956, and received his Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Holy Cross College in Worcester, MA in 1960. He attended Officer Candidate School in Yorktown, VA, and received his commission in the United States Coast Guard in 1962, and served 4 years in Nashville and Washington D.C.  Attending law school at night while in Washington D.C., he earned his Juris Doctor from Georgetown Law School in 1969.

After law school, Neal worked at the National Labor Relations Board in Washington D.C.  He then spent the rest of his professional career as a labor lawyer for the John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Company in Boston. In his retirement, he served as a docent for the Preservation Society of Newport County and at the Doris Duke Rough Point Mansion in Newport, RI.

Neal was the loving husband of the late Judith L. (Guillette) Smith. They were married on July 21, 1962 at Holy Ghost Church in Attleboro. Together they shared 58 years of marriage. He was the devoted father of Thomas Smith and his partner Faith Deming of Pembroke, MA, Matthew Smith and his wife Melissa of Barrington, RI, and Peter Smith and his wife Debra of Hingham, MA. Neal was the cherished grandfather of Loralee, Robert, Anna, Sarah, Jake, Michael, and Eric. He was the dear brother of the late Emmett T. Smith. Neal is also survived by many loving extended family and friends.

Neal had a lifelong passion for sailing and skiing, which he and Judy passed on to their three boys and seven grandchildren over many summer and winter vacation trips. His ideal family vacation when his boys were young had everyone in constant motion either on the water or on the ski slopes. He spent his summers with Judy sailing the beautiful waters of southern New England on his beloved sailboat, the CRUSADER. An accomplished self-taught skier, he first showed his boys how to ski, then watched with pride and skied with all of his grandchildren during his later years. While living in Newport, he served as a Eucharistic Minister at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church.

As per Neal’s final wishes, funeral services will be held privately.

Neal’s family would like to thank the staff at the Norwell Visiting Nurse Association and the Pat Roche Hospice Home for their kindness and compassion.

Due To Floral Restrictions: In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Neal’s memory to the Pat Roche Hospice Home, c/o NVNA and Hospice, 120 Longwater Dr., Norwell, MA  02061 or online by clicking here.