Joseph A. Smath, 69

LACONIA — Joseph Anthony Smath, 69, passed away on May 1, 2024, in Laconia.

Joseph was born in Newark, New Jersey, the son of Joseph G. Smath and Frances R. (Garrutto) Smath.

Joe graduated from Rutgers University and continued his education at the University of New Hampshire, earning a master’s of science in hydrology. Following his degree, he worked for the U.S. Geological Survey. As a hydrologist, Joe traveled far and wide to North Dakota, Maine and Massachusetts. His final post in the Boston office sparked a newfound passion, when he was asked to set up the early computers. Joe took this passion to a new role at Liberty Mutual as a database analyst. This work suited Joe’s love of using logic and problem solving and he remained at Liberty Mutual for 35 years.

Joe was a quiet loving man who took great pleasure in taking care of his family. He was a meticulous planner and never missed a detail — whether planning for a vacation, scheduling one of the boys’ sporting events, or hosting a holiday meal. He and his wife, Nancy, prepared wonderful feasts for friends and relatives over the years, and Joe’s Caesar salad with his homemade dressing was always requested on holidays by his extended family.

Joe enjoyed community involvement and the friends he made at Community Church of Durham while raising their sons. Upon moving to Laconia three years ago, he pursued volunteer work at Congregational Church of Laconia and made many dear friends. He relished finding like-minded people in this community that shared the same passion for outdoor adventures and would go on local hikes like Lock’s Hill.

An avid hiker, Joe was instrumental in teaching his sons and their friends how to safely explore the beauty of the White Mountains. Joe helped them work on their goal of summiting all 48 of the 4,000’ers in New Hampshire. He was happiest when sharing his love of nature with his family and friends. In his free time, he enjoyed hiking, downhill or cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and boogie boarding at the beach or kayaking. He also especially enjoyed boating on Lake Winnipesaukee and watching sunsets with his wife at their lakeside cabin.

Following Joe’s retirement, he enjoyed filling his newfound time with reading and particularly enjoyed history and biographies.

Joseph is survived by and will be deeply missed by his beloved wife of 30 years, Nancy (Clements) Smath, two sons Eric Smath and Adam Smath and Adam’s fiancée Kimberly Celona, Joe’s sister Patricia Ritsko and her husband John, sister and brother in laws, Pamela and Daniel Verrill and David and Linda Clements, nephews Matthew Ritsko, Joshua Verrill, Alexander Verrill, Michael Clements, niece Jill Rego and their families. He was predeceased by his parents.

A service will be scheduled at a later date.

For those so inclined, donations in Joe’s memory can be made to the Little Free Food Pantry, at the Laconia Congregational Church, 18 Veterans Square, Laconia, NH 03246, or The Appalachian Mountain Club at outdoors.org/donate/donate-form.

Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services/603Cremations.com at 164 Pleasant St. is assisting the family with arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial, visit wilkinsonbeane.com.