John J. Smith, 91

GILFORD — John J. Smith, 91, of Gilford died at the Laconia Center Genesis Eldercare, Laconia on Friday, December 31, 2010.

John was born January 28, 1919 in Buffalo, N. Y., the son of Sarah (Gafney) and James A. Smith.

John was a Navy veteran, having earned the rank of Machinists Mate Second Class. John served aboard the USS Hamilton DD-141 from 1937 to 1939, and aboard the USS Hughes DD-410 from 1939 to 1941, and was honorably discharged. John was working in Sperry Gyroscope Corp, a defense contractor in Lake Success NY and was drafted back into the Navy during WWII where he served as a “plank owner” aboard the USS Grady DE-445 from 1943 to 1946.

John had been employed as a mechanical technician for Diebold, Inc. maintaining and repairing physical and electronic security systems for banks.

John is survived by his wife of 63 years Gertrude C. (Young) Smith of Gilford; a daughter Patricia Smith Burkhart of Arlington, Mass; and two sons William J. Smith of Mattituck, NY and James J. Smith of Phoenix, AZ. John and Gertrude were both formerly of Bethpage NY, where they raised their three children before retiring to the Lakes region of New Hampshire.

John had a life-long love for boating and enjoyed motor, sail boating, canoeing and water skiing.

Graveside Services with Military Honors were held on Tuesday, January 4, 2011 at the NH Veterans Cemetery, 110 Daniel Webster Highway, Boscawen, NH.

For those who wish, the family suggests that memorial donations be made to the New Hampshire Humane Society, PO Box 572, Laconia, NH 03247.

Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 164 Pleasant St., Laconia, N. H. is in charge of the arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial go to www.wlkinsonbeane.com.