PROSPECT — Douglas Anthony Smith, 49, passed away at home on Wednesday, March 1, 2023, with his loving family by his side, after a valiant but short battle with cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct) cancer.
Doug was born on July 13, 1973, in Waterbury, to Walter Smith Sr. and Lucille (Richards) Smith. Doug grew up in Cheshire and was a graduate of the class of 1992 from Cheshire High School. Doug held many jobs throughout his life, but most recently was a truck driver for several years before becoming the director of facilities at the Palace Theater in Waterbury.
Doug was truly a jack of all trades and could fix or “upgrade” anything. He loved motorcycles, quads, going camping, and absolutely loved anything with a motor or wheels. In recent years, he would take trips up north with his family—his sons, his girlfriend Sandi, and her children, Amanda and Zacary, where they would rent a house and spend time making memories together.
Doug was a gentle giant who seemed to make friends with everyone he met and was always there to lend a helping hand to others. The lights of his life were his two boys, Dougie and Ty, who he loved with all his heart. Doug was a loving, supportive father who never missed an event of theirs and did everything he could to be there and provide for them. Doug was a wonderful, caring man who will be missed by the many lives he touched.
Left to cherish Doug’s memory are his two sons, Douglas C. Smith and Tyler A. Smith, both of Prospect; father Walter Smith Sr. and wife Donna of Westminster, Vt.; mother Lucille Smith of Southington; girlfriend Sandra Bertrand and her children, Amanda and Zacary Bertrand, all of Prospect; siblings Walter Smith Jr. of Enfield, N.H., and Alicia St. John of Hampton, N.H.; stepsiblings Jennifer Membrino Moran of Thomaston, and Matthew Briglia of Morrisville, Vt.; ex-wife and mother of his children, Christon Smith of Waterbury; former in-laws Cheryl Horning, Garry Germano, Chad (Erica) Horning, Chauna (Eric) Wilson; nieces and nephews, Emily, Eli, Erich, Walter III, Brendan, Benjamin and Ian; and so many, many dear friends.
Doug was predeceased by his beloved brother, Christopher Richard Smith, who passed away in 1989.
A memorial gathering was to be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday, March 12, 2023 at Prospect Memorial/The Palmerie Family Funeral Home, 122 Waterbury Road, in Prospect. A time of remembrance was to begin at 1 p.m., where friends and family were invited to share a memory, story, or their love for Doug to conclude his services.
You are invited to share a fond memory, photo and words of comfort for Doug’s family on his Tribute Wall at prospectmemorial.com.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the GoFundMe fundraiser Doug’s family has begun to help assist his two sons, Dougie and Ty, with expenses. (gofund.me/5a1f0a51)
