Richard Smith

Richard Joseph Smith, 91, of Port Royal, SC, passed away peacefully on October 31, 2023, surrounded by his loving family.

Richard is survived by his two daughters, Elizabeth Barry (Robert) and Margaret Ryan (James); his four grandchildren, Robert E. Barry, Catherine Ryan-Taras (Michael), James J. Ryan (Erin), and Jennifer Barry; his great-granddaughter, Rhiannon Eileen; his sister, Kathleen Scipione; his sister-in-law, Frances Burrows; and many nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.

Richard was born on May 30, 1932, in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, New York. He and his brothers and sisters were raised by their aunts in a brownstone on 73rd Street. He had a happy childhood, spending summers in Bay Shore, Long Island, and visiting Coney Island and Riis Park. After graduating from Fort Hamilton High School, Richard enlisted in the United States Air Force along with three of his best friends. He served during the Korean War as a gunner on the B-29 Superfortress and later the B-36 Peacemaker from March 1951 through January 1955. On June 16, 1956, he married the love of his life, Barbara Golden. They had two daughters and moved to West Islip, Long Island, in 1961.

Employed by Grumman Aircraft Engineering, he took part in many projects, most notably the lunar excursion module (LEM) utilized by NASA during the Apollo missions. He later accepted a position with the New York Telephone Company, where he received numerous promotions. He enjoyed his work there and ended his career as a Long Range Planner in New York City. After his retirement in 1990, Richard and Barbara focused on traveling and spending time with friends and family. They bought a condominium in Pompano Beach, Florida, where they spent winters enjoying the warm weather. They enjoyed vacations and cruises with family and friends and were devoted grandparents. Richard pursued his love of history, taking college courses and trips with Barbara, his sisters, and his brother-in-law.

After Barbara passed away in August 2001, Richard sold his home in West Islip and moved to Leisure Village in Ridge, New York, where he enjoyed playing golf, spending time with his family, and taking road trips. He drove cross country multiple times with his grandchildren and traveled extensively throughout the United States and abroad. In the summer of 2023, he sold his condominium in Leisure Village and moved to Port Royal, SC, to be close to his daughters. Family was the most important thing to him, followed by the New York Mets, New York Giants, and Manchester United.

Richard has been described as the “best friend” of everyone who knew him. He will be greatly missed, but his legacy survives in our hearts.

A local memorial service for Richard J. Smith will be held at Anderson Funeral Home (611 Robert Smalls Parkway, Beaufort, SC 29906) on Saturday, November 25, 2023, from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.