Windsor Obituary: Deacon Benny Smith, 86

Deacon Benny Smith, 86, of Manchester, peacefully passed away on May 22, 2017 while residing at Kimberly Hall in Windsor.

He was born in Hartford on July 15, 1930, one of ten children of the late Russell Smith and Lillie (Allen) Smith. Mr. Smith was a man of unshakable faith and devotion to God. Under the leadership of Archbishop LeRoy Bailey, Jr., Benny became a Deacon and served his faith community well first in First Baptist Church in Hartford and then at First Cathedral in Bloomfield. His commitment to his church was evident in the time and energy he donated in design and printing for church communications and advertising campaigns.

His artistic talents were displayed over the years in bulletins, signs and banners, and even on the church buses. Deacon Benny was a creative and hardworking artist with a humble yet passionate spirit whose past work was honored in a competition at the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art in Hartford. His professional career working with Aetna in their printing department allowed him to generously provide for his family and afforded him countless friends and colleagues over the years.

Deacon Benny, or "Smitty" as he was affectionately called by his closest friends, was well-respected by clergy, his church family and future generations for his upstanding character, love for his church, and involvement within the community.

Deacon Benny was predeceased by his beloved wife of 23 years, Rose Matthews Smith and two sons, Stanley Smith and Gregory Smith. He is survived by seven children, Richard Smith and his wife Sharon of Texas, Gary Smith of California, Paulette Smith of Springfield, MA, Donna Smith of California, Rhonda J. Womack and her husband James of Manchester, April Smith of Windsor, and Dona Durham of Windsor; six step-children, Debbie Matthews, Renee Matthews, Pam Matthews, Vernon Matthews, all of Hartford, and Keith Jackson of Rockville and Kim Smith of California; dear family friends and the mothers of his children, Beatrice Smith and Margaret Gainer; 20 grandchildren, Ajané Smith, Michelle Smith, Antoine Smith, Stanley Smith, II, JoAnn Smith, Ladonna Smith, Diane Smith, Richard Smith, Jr., Crystal Smith, Regina Smith, Ishmael Smith, Robert Smith, Keon Smith, Gregory Graham, De Mon Wright, John Stewart, IV, Tyrone Bates, Taiwan Bates, Jamaia Smith, Rene Jones; 57 plus great-grandchildren, 21 plus great great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and lifelong friends.

His homegoing service will be held on Wednesday, June 7, 2017 at The First Cathedral, 1151 Blue Hills Ave., Bloomfield with viewing from 10-11 a.m. and the service at 11 a.m. Burial will follow in Mountain View Cemetery, Bloomfield.