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Deacon Richard Smith dies at 82

Catholic Herald Staff Report

Deacon Richard P. Smith died Nov. 17 at Mary Washington
Hospital Center in Fredericksburg.

Deacon Smith was born in Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada,
in 1933.

He was a parishioner of St. Vincent Church in Hanover, Pa.,
and graduated from Delone Catholic High School in
McSherrystown, Pa.

After high school, he enlisted in the Air Force. While on
active duty he married Connie of Asheville, N.C.

After his discharge from the military, he enrolled in the
University of Tennessee and was awarded a bachelor’s in
electrical engineering. He was a civilian employee of the
Navy Department.

He continued his education at Catholic University in
Washington where he earned a master’s in engineering.

Deacon Smith was ordained to the permanent diaconate May 15,
1982 by Arlington Bishop Thomas J. Welsh.

He served as deacon at St. Francis of Assisi Church in
Triangle for three years and at St. William of York Church in
Stafford for nearly 27 years.

Deacon Smith is survived by daughters Angela Hugger of
Fredericksburg and Kari Clark of Stafford. Deacon Smith was
predeceased by his wife, Connie.

A viewing will be held at Mullins and Thompson Funeral Home,
186 Shelton Shop Rd., Stafford, Nov. 22 from 5 to 7 p.m.

A funeral Mass was offered Nov. 23 at 11 a.m. at St. William
of York Church, 3130 Jefferson Davis Hwy., Stafford, with
internment at Quantico National Cemetery.

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