Welcome to the memorial page for
Mr Herbert A Smith Jr
June 7, 1944 ~ November 28, 2017 (age 73) 73 Years OldShare Tribute:
Waterbury – Herbert A. Smith, Jr., 73, passed away on Tuesday, November 28, 2017, after battling cancer for several years.
Herbert, a.k.a. Buddy, was raised along the banks of the Connecticut River with his twin sister, Barbara, in Portland, Connecticut.
During his youth he walked across the Portland Bridge every day to work. As a celebrated cold chef he developed a passion for experimenting with recipes that delighted those fortunate enough to enjoy his creations. Cooking became a lifelong hobby.
Buddy had a lifelong interest in art and design. When he was a child he would create models of ponds and gazebos in the woods with found objects.
He opened an antique shop in New Haven and learned how to cultivate his eye and knowledge of business practices. Buddy continued on his path by attending the Paier School of Fine Arts. After graduation he was employed by Plimpton’s in West Hartford, as Space Planner/Interior Designer specializing in professional buildings. The Sard and Silbermann families became his clients and lifelong friends.
When Plimpton’s closed he opened his own business, Smith Interior Design Associates in Waterbury. His clients continued with him as he had earned a reputation for excellence. He was a consultant for the legendary “Russian Lady” in Hartford and worked on joint projects with designer Louis Nicole.
His business expanded from professional office spaces to home interior design, and landscape architecture where he was able to more fully incorporate his knowledge of weaving various patterns, colors, sizes, textures, shapes and artistic genres combined with creative lighting and visual effect called “embroidery.”
His personal collection grew over time to include an impressive and eclectic variety of paintings, textiles, pottery, glass, furniture and other visual arts with a special emphasis on Asian antiques. Above all, he was a lover of life and the human condition. He collected memories of significant moments and people who made a difference in his life.
He loved his family and friends and the love will be returned because he always found time when they needed him and made each individual know they were special.
He was an admirer of diverse cultures, especially that of China and Tibet after having made a trip there with a close friend.
Buddy had a love of gardening, cats and other animals. He was so kind that he would not want his guests to kill even a carpenter ant in his presence.
The pastime which connected all of his interests was reading, particularly biographies. He collected an extensive collection of books on arts and antiques. His thirst for knowledge about the human condition, cultures, designs, cuisine, and antiques illustrated his great flair for life.
His compassion for the less fortunate, his sense of honor and his witty sense of humor will be missed by all who knew him.
Buddy is survived by his sister Gail Smith; brother, Kelly Smith; nieces, Ursula, Lola, and Eva. He leaves behind Robert Bogdanowitz a friend of which he shared the past 35 years. There are other friends and relatives too many to mention.
Our gratitude to the many doctors, nurses and staff at Saint Mary’s Hospital, Vitas and elsewhere who supported him during his medical ordeal.
Memorial services celebrating his life will be private.
Memorial contributions may be made in Buddy’s name to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123, or by visiting cancer.org/givehope.
Herbert, a.k.a. Buddy, was raised along the banks of the Connecticut River with his twin sister, Barbara, in Portland, Connecticut.
During his youth he walked across the Portland Bridge every day to work. As a celebrated cold chef he developed a passion for experimenting with recipes that delighted those fortunate enough to enjoy his creations. Cooking became a lifelong hobby.
Buddy had a lifelong interest in art and design. When he was a child he would create models of ponds and gazebos in the woods with found objects.
He opened an antique shop in New Haven and learned how to cultivate his eye and knowledge of business practices. Buddy continued on his path by attending the Paier School of Fine Arts. After graduation he was employed by Plimpton’s in West Hartford, as Space Planner/Interior Designer specializing in professional buildings. The Sard and Silbermann families became his clients and lifelong friends.
When Plimpton’s closed he opened his own business, Smith Interior Design Associates in Waterbury. His clients continued with him as he had earned a reputation for excellence. He was a consultant for the legendary “Russian Lady” in Hartford and worked on joint projects with designer Louis Nicole.
His business expanded from professional office spaces to home interior design, and landscape architecture where he was able to more fully incorporate his knowledge of weaving various patterns, colors, sizes, textures, shapes and artistic genres combined with creative lighting and visual effect called “embroidery.”
His personal collection grew over time to include an impressive and eclectic variety of paintings, textiles, pottery, glass, furniture and other visual arts with a special emphasis on Asian antiques. Above all, he was a lover of life and the human condition. He collected memories of significant moments and people who made a difference in his life.
He loved his family and friends and the love will be returned because he always found time when they needed him and made each individual know they were special.
He was an admirer of diverse cultures, especially that of China and Tibet after having made a trip there with a close friend.
Buddy had a love of gardening, cats and other animals. He was so kind that he would not want his guests to kill even a carpenter ant in his presence.
The pastime which connected all of his interests was reading, particularly biographies. He collected an extensive collection of books on arts and antiques. His thirst for knowledge about the human condition, cultures, designs, cuisine, and antiques illustrated his great flair for life.
His compassion for the less fortunate, his sense of honor and his witty sense of humor will be missed by all who knew him.
Buddy is survived by his sister Gail Smith; brother, Kelly Smith; nieces, Ursula, Lola, and Eva. He leaves behind Robert Bogdanowitz a friend of which he shared the past 35 years. There are other friends and relatives too many to mention.
Our gratitude to the many doctors, nurses and staff at Saint Mary’s Hospital, Vitas and elsewhere who supported him during his medical ordeal.
Memorial services celebrating his life will be private.
Memorial contributions may be made in Buddy’s name to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123, or by visiting cancer.org/givehope.
A service summary is not available
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