Avon Obituary: James Smith, 76

James Ilsley Smith, 76 beloved husband of 50 years to Elaine Norton Smith of East Hampton and formerly of Avon, passed away peacefully at St. Francis Hospital on January 19th after a long battle with cancer.

Jim was born in West Haven, son of the late Elmer and Marguerite (Ilsley) Smith. He graduated from Guilford High School and served in the U.S. Air Force from 1957 – 1962. He graduated from Western New England College with a degree in mechanical engineering. He started his career at Hamilton Standard and was responsible for new product research on the Apollo Space program and secured a patent for a zero gravity oxygen reclamation system. His career then took him to the General Electric Co. for over 25 years where he held several engineering and management positions and was awarded numerous patents before retiring in 1999.

Jim was an avid sports car enthusiast, with a special love for the Austin Healey. He was actively involved in the New England Region of the Austin Healey Club. This close knit membership became a second family to him. He became an active member in the vintage racing group racing his 1955 Healey at racetracks throughout the Northeast with a special place in his heart for Lime Rock Park.

In addition to his wife, he leaves a daughter Linda Iannazzi of Glocester, RI and her fiancé John Costa and a son Joseph Smith of Burlington and his wife Diana. The loves of his life were his five grandchildren, Julia and Jennifer Iannazzi, and Cameron, Mackenzie, and Maxwell Smith. He also leaves his sisters, Evelyn Condon and Shirley Tordo, many nieces and nephews, and many in-laws who were as close to him as his own family. Jim was predeceased by his brother Glenn and sister Elizabeth.

Friends may call at the Spencer Funeral Home 112 Main St. East Hampton on Monday Jan. 25th from 5PM until 8PM. A Funeral Liturgy will be celebrated on Tuesday Jan. 26 at 11AM in St. Patrick Church in East Hampton. Burial will follow in St. Patrick Cemetery.

To leave online condolences please visit www.spencerfuneralhomeinc.com.

Jim’s family would like to thank all the wonderful doctors and staff at the St. Francis Cancer Center and especially the 8th floor hospital staff who kept him comfortable during his many visits.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Francis Cancer Center atFoundation@stfranciscare.org or the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) 18 North Main St. West Hartford, CT 06107.