Peter Ernest Smith Obituary

Brother of Marilee Dabkowski

Peter Ernest Smith, 55, of Lebanon, Conn., passed away March 5, 2016, at St. Francis Hospital in Hartford after a courageous battle with a long illness.

He was born June 10, 1960, and was a beloved son of Eleanor (Griffin) Smith and the late Norman T. Smith. Peter attended West Hartford schools, and after working for many years in the Hartford area, he settled in Lebanon, Conn. The majority of Peter’s working life was dedicated to helping others, primarily disabled adults. Prior to his illness he worked for several years as an employment specialist for Easter Seals. He was proud to have earned certifications from the Greater Hartford Community College Center for professional development and also as a CNA and an EMT.

Peter will be remembered fondly for his vibrant sense of humor and his love of animals, nature and cooking. An enthusiastic reader, he was excited and honored to have met and dined with Alex Haley. Peter will be dearly missed by all who loved him.

He is survived by his mother, Eleanor Smith of Port Charlotte, Fla.; his two sisters, his twin, Maggie Furstein and her husband, Edward, of Port Charlotte, Fla., and Marilee Dabkowski and her husband, Allan, of Middlebury, Conn. His brother, Norman Smith, predeceased him. Peter also leaves several nieces and nephews, including his godson, Brian Dabkowski (Stacey), Paul Dabkowski (Angela), Lauren Dabkowski, Ashley and Amy Furstein, Danielle (Smith) Cullen, Kelly (Smith) Trafton, Sandy Smith, and five grand-nieces and two grand-nephews. Peter also leaves his close friends and his companion of many years, Barbara Wheaton of Lebanon, Conn. His O’Brien and Hansen cousins, with whom he enjoyed many summers at Highland Lake in Winsted, also survive him.

Peter’s family sincerely acknowledge and thank the compassionate and caring staff at Hospital for Special Care in Hartford and the staff at St. Francis Hospital MSICU.

Friends and relatives are invited to visit with Peter’s family at a celebration of life Saturday April 16, 2016, from 10 to 11 a.m. at St. Peter Claver Parish Hall on Pleasant Street in West Hartford. Burial will follow in Fairview Cemetery.

Memorial donations can be made to Connecticut Humane Society, 701 Russell Road, Newington, CT 06111; Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675; St. Agnes Home, 104 Mayflower St., West Hartford, CT 06110; or the American Lung Association, 45 Ash St., East Hartford, CT 06108.

The Naugatuck Valley Memorial/Fitzgerald Zembruski Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. To send an online condolence, please visit www.naugatuckvalleymemorial.com.