Donald E. Smith of Newton, N.J., passed away on Tuesday, April 27, 2021, at Morristown Medical Center. He was 81.
Son of the late Loretta (Miller) and Edward Smith, Don was born on Jan. 10, 1940, in Scranton, Pa. His family later moved to Newton.
Don attended Newton High School and enlisted in the U.S. Air Force; he was honorably discharged in 1963. He was a member of the Newton Fire Department and was employed by the Morris Township Fire Department as a career firefighter in 1973 until his promotion to fire inspector and retired in 1999.
Don was an avid train collector and loved to make Christmas train displays with snow villages. He loved sports, especially the Dallas Cowboys, and enjoyed attending his son’s baseball and football games.
Don was predeceased by his wife, Linda (Dietz) Smith, in 1988; and his son, Michael P. Smith, in 2015.
He is survived by his daughter, Julie (Lampe) and her husband, Ed Shinol; grandchildren, Samantha and Anthony Shinol; and step-daughter, Terry Auletta. A special acknowledgement to Don’s best friends, Bill Schmitz and Jeannie Pierson, Dale Pierson, as well special thanks to Cecil Kinsey and Rich Bird for being so helpful these last two years.
Memorial donations may be made to the New Jersey Fireman’s Home in Boonton, N.J. A Celebration of Life Memorial will be held at a later date. Arrangments were made by Smith-McCracken Funeral Home, Newton.