Earl B. Smith Jr.

Earl B. Smith, Jr., passed away peacefully October 2nd surrounded by his loving family.  Earl, also known as “Smitty” or “Brud” was born in York, Maine, August 14,1931, to Earl B. Smith, Sr., and Alice Plaisted Smith.  He grew up in York and attended public schools as part of the graduating class of 1949; however, he transferred to and officially graduated from Fryeburg Academy in Fryeburg, Maine. 

It seems Earl had a mischievous spark and with his lifelong friend Bob “Bubba” Moulton got into many scrapes and episodes.  A legendary tale was one Christmas when their teacher tasked the two of them to find a Christmas tree for the classroom. They selected a spruce so perfect it drew admiration from their teacher—until its origin was discovered to be from someone’s yard! That mischievous spark stayed with Earl his whole life.

Earl next obtained an engineering degree from Wentworth Institute of Technology, Boston, Massachusetts; and in 1952 began a 25-year career with the Central Intelligence Agency serving at various foreign service posts around the world.  

Then in 1955 in Taipei, Taiwan, he met his future wife, Barbara DeHaven, who was also working for the CIA. They married in Washington DC in 1957.  Their two daughters were born abroad, Denise in England in 1961 and Coleen in Cyprus in 1963. They made a home in Springfield, Virginia, until Earl retired in 1978. Earl, Barbara, and family then returned to Maine building their forever home in York. He continued working as an independent contractor for the Agency into his 70s, covering more than 40 countries. 

Earl was a member of St. Aspinquid Lodge.  He was a master handyman, gunsmith, and ham radio operator. Using his ham skills he “saved the day” one wintry afternoon when CMP lost all communications. There was nothing that he could not fix or rigg for his friends and family and he was always there to lend a hand. 

In retirement Earl spent time deer hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, and driving cross country in many different campers and RVs.  He enjoyed getting together for “happy hour” with various friends throughout the years telling stories of his many adventures. 

Earl is survived by his wife of 68 years, Barbara, their two children Denise Wilford and husband Don; Coleen Coughlin and her husband Bob; and his two grandchildren Olivia and Tommy, all of York, Maine.  He was predeceased by his parents, Alice and Earl B. Smith; his two sisters Grace Trafton and her husband Chet and Marion Beals and her husband John. He was a devoted husband and loving father to his daughters and he particularly loved being “grandpa” to his two grandchildren which made his long life complete.  

A graveside service will be held at 11 am on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, in the First Parish Cemetery, 180 York Street, York, Maine.
 

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