Memorial Service Scheduled for Dick Smyth

Friends and colleagues will pay tribute to one of north-central Connecticut’s most generous and beloved businessmen at a memorial service Saturday.

Richard “Dick” Smyth passed away unexpectedly Nov. 30 of complications from a fall he incurred a week earlier. He was 56.

In 1975, while still in high school, he and his late father, F. Edwin Smyth, started the Smyth Bus Co., serving the towns of Enfield, East Windsor and Windsor Locks with the transportation needs of their school systems. He also operated the F. E. Smyth & Son Inc. that his late father started in the 1960s.

His obituary states, “He was very proud of his school bus transportation company and was instrumental in starting several safety programs which have been adopted on a national level.”

Enfield Fire Chief Ed Richards said he knew Smyth since he was born.

“His father and my father were best friends, and he was godfather to one of my daughters,” Richards said. “You will never meet a more kindhearted person, or someone who never had anything bad to say about anybody. He was a solid, upright, caring, great person. The world is not as good a place with him gone.”

Enfield Mayor Scott Kaupin said, “He was very proud of his business and the condition of his buses, and safety was always number one. He was a key contributor to events in the community, which was an important part of his business.”

In 2010, a feature story in the Hartford Courant reported, “In 151 inspections last year, state examiners found not a single major or minor violation on a Smyth bus. Not one burned-out bulb. No leaky exhausts. Not a Band-Aid out of place in the first-aid kit.”

A longtime volunteer firefighter, Smyth was considered one of the most generous business owners in the area, helping out those in need without any fanfare.

“I call him a closet philanthropist. He didn’t want any accolades for what he did. He helped so many people, not charging folks for community or charitable things. If you needed anything, he was always there to help you out,” Richards said.

A number of employees and friends expressed their thoughts about Smyth via social media.

“I have thought all day of how to describe someone, when they reach the end do you look at their whole life or the snippets that made you smile, laugh?” longtime employee Sue Braun wrote. “I recalled 11 years and realized again as I have said so often - my boss was the best. If you had trouble and he heard, he would quietly offer help; if you needed advice, you could ask. If you needed a load of manure, he was there! I can remember the kindnesses I saw offered to his employees, I remember feeling very loved being one of his drivers. I lost one of the best bosses I ever had on November 30th. Rest in peace Dick, you deserve it!”

Smyth lived in Enfield the first 42 years of his life before moving to his East Windsor farm.

A private family funeral and burial was held last week, but the community at large may pay their respects to Smyth at a Service of Remembrance on Saturday, Dec. 12 at 11 a.m. at Enfield Congregational Church, where he was a longtime member.

His personal wishes were to have donations in his memory be made to the Enfield Congregational Church, P.O. Box 3171, Enfield, CT 06083-3171, or to Little Sisters of the Poor, 1365 Enfield St., Enfield, CT 06082.

Photo credits: Richard Smyth courtesy of Leete-Stevens Funeral Home; bus company courtesy of Sue Braun