Robert L. Smith
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Robert Lincoln Smith, 81, of Southington, passed away peacefully at home with his wife of 37 years, Laura (Sereno) Smith, and his family by his side, on Wednesday, June 17, after a long illness.
Born on February 5, 1939, in Buffalo, NY, he was the son of the late Robert Sefton Smith and Corralyn (Greenwood) Smith. Rob had a long and successful career in aviation, with his love of flying starting at the early age of 14, followed by time in the Air Force pre-flight school.
He started working for Cessna Aircraft in 1965, then became president of Marshfield Aviation under Attorney F. Lee Bailey in 1966. He then worked in client services for Mitsubishi Aircraft, Turbine Air, Executive Jet, Atlantic Aviation, and PrivatAir, until his retirement in 2008.
His hobbies included photographing his family and flying his Cessna 310 to Block Island.
He is survived by his wife, Laura (Sereno) Smith; two daughters, Alexandra Smith and her fiance Russell Gong, Lynda Kelley and her husband Brandon Kelley; four grandchildren, Michael, David, Christopher, and Heather; one great-grandson, Clark; a brother, Doug Smith and his wife Jean Smith; and his sister, Barbara Raimo. Also surviving are his mother and father in-law, Peter and Diane Sereno; his sister and brother in-law, Gail and Hank Balavender; his brothers-in-law, Peter and Chris Sereno; and several nieces and nephews, of which Liane Smith held a special place in his heart. He was predeceased by his brother, Thomas Sefton Smith.
A memorial service and celebration of Rob's life will be announced and held at a later date. Erickson-Hansen Funeral Home, New Britain, is in charge of arrangements. Please share a memory of Robert with the family in the online guest book @ www.ericksonhansen.com