PLANTSVILLE- Mr. Rene L. Smith, 89, formerly of Wolcott, CT and Barefoot Bay, Fl, passed away peacefully on Monday, August 22, 2011, surrounded by loving family. He was born April 5, 1922 inPawtucket, RI to the late Rosaline(Breault) and JosephSmith. Rene was a compassionate man devoted to his family and he was the loving husband of 68 years to his soul mate Lorraine (Robillard) Smith. Rene proudly served his countryasa Navy Armed Guard Radio Operator during WWII.He was recognized for outstanding service and was honored withmany medals for his accomplishmentswithin the Atlantic and Pacific Theatres. He continued his patriotic spirit as a lifetime member andformerCommander of the VFW Barefoot Bay, FL. Post 4425 and as a charter member of the American Legion Barefoot Bay, FL. Post 369. Rene will be fondly remembered as a devoted andcaring family man. His favorite past times included gardening, boating, camping, fishing, playing cribbage and watching the Patriots and Red Sox play. In addition to his devoted wife, Lorraine, he will be sadly missed by his loving children, Phyllis (Smith) Brade and her husband John of Wolcott, CT and Clifford Smith and his wife Cynthia Schmitt of Shawnee, KS., twosisters, Doris Forant and Pauline Sirois both of Cumberland, RI. He also leaves his cherished grandchildren Pamela, Darlene, Melanie, Jessica, Aaron and Everett and beloved great-grandchildren Hannah, Evan, John and Megan and many nieces and nephews. Rene was predeceased by nine brothers and sisters. The family would like to express their gratitude to the exceptional caregivers and friends at Mulberry Gardens, Wolcott View Manor,St. Mary's Hospital and the VITAS Hospice unit of St. Mary's Hospital. A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at St. Gregory the Great Church,. 235 Maltby Street, Bristol, CT on Saturday, August 27 at 10:00 am. Aburial with military honors will follow at Edgewood Cemetery inWolcott.Family and friends may gather at Woodtick Memorial,420 Woodtick Rd. Wolcott at 8:30am. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Rene's memory to the St. Jude Children's Hospital http://www.stjude.org or mail to 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. To leave expressions of sympathy to his family, please visit http://www.woodtickmemorial.com.

Service Information A service summary is not available