Edwin Alan Smith
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Edwin Alan Smith, 91, of Springfield, MA, and formerly of Beverly and Ipswich MA, passed away on August 27th.
Edwin was born and raised in Chelsea, Massachusetts, the son of Rose (Krepkin) and Eli Smith. He enlisted in the US Navy during the Korean War and was stationed on a ship in the Caribbean. He graduated from Babson College with a degree in Business. He was a President of B'nai Brith and contributed to charitable causes all his life. He had a passion for education and was very proud of becoming a Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) at the age of 70. His plan was to never retire, but Parkinson's Disease robbed him of that plan and the quality of his life. He courageously faced the ravages of this disease and even when it took his dignity and forced him into skilled nursing, he faced every day with a positive attitude and concern for those caring for him. He always had a book in his hand or on tape. He was the ultimate pragmatist and optimist. He always put others before himself and when able, was the first to lend a helping hand. Indeed, he even became the Patient Representative in his skilled nursing facility
Edwin began his career in Real Estate Development, but then worked at the Ideal Finishing Company in Salem, MA, at which he became President and CEO. When he saw the leather industry disappearing overseas, he sold the company, and went back to Babson College and earned his MBA in 1974. While he was in school, he worked as an accountant at Jules Gordeau Lumber Company in Beverly, MA. He then went into Residential and Commercial Real Estate.
Edwin lost his beloved wife, Janice, after 64 years of marriage due to Covid 19 in 2020. He was the devoted loving and beloved parent of Ronda (Mark) Jackowitz, and David (Beth) Smith. He was the adoring grandfather (Zayde) of Rachel (Ari) Berezin; Adam (Iryssa) Jackowitz, Leah (Pedro) Rangel, Talia (Patrick) Griffin, and Eli, Asa, Ian, and Veronica Smith. He will be greatly missed by his great grandchildren Nava and Ella Berezin, Geordan and Callie Jackowitz, and Remy Rangel. He also leaves behind his sister Bryna (Mark) Glater and his brother Steven Smith as well as his sister-in-law Natalie Sherwin, and many nieces, nephews, and their children.
In addition, he leaves behind his extraordinary aide Jon Crowley, and the staff who cared for him at Loomis Lakeside Reed's Landing.
Donations can be made to the Parkinson's Foundation at www.parkinson.org or The Michael J Fox Foundation.
A private family graveside service will be held at 1 pm on Thursday, September 1, 2022, with shiva service at 7 pm the same day. Zoom link at www.ascherzimmerman.com. For further information, please visit ascherzimmerman.com.