"Sue, I learned of your dad's passing over the summer and it brought back the memories of RI so many years ago. I still remember how your dad would walk me home at night after Batman......Thinking of you"
In loving memory of
Frederick C.B. Smyth, Sr
June 25, 1932 - June 29, 2008
Jamestown, RI - Frederick C.B. Smyth, Sr., 76, of 17 Friendship Street, Jamestown, RI, died Sunday, June 29, 2008 at home with his family. He was the husband of the late Ellen Norma Whaley Smyth. Born in Newport, RI on June 24, 1932, he was the son of the late William R. and Elizabeth Brewster Smyth, whose father a Philadelphia lawyer, was responsible for retaining the words In God We Trust on U. S. currency when President Theodore Roosevelt had issued an executive order in 1907 to eliminate them.. Mr. Smyth was a 1951 graduate of Rogers High School and a 1967 graduate of the University of Rhode Island. He received his Juris Doctor degree in 1971 from Suffolk University Law School. Mr. Smyth joined the Jamestown Police Department in 1953, becoming Chief in 1956 until his retirement in 1974. He started his private practice in 1974 until 1979 when he became the Special Assistant Attorney General for the State of Rhode Island until 1985, when he went back into private practice until 1986, when he became Hearing Officer for the Department of Workers Compensation and Department of Labor Training until 1997 when he became Chief Hearing Officer for the Department of Labor and Training Board of Review until his death. In October of 1966 he was appointed by Governor John Chafee to the First Special Commission to Study the General Upgrading of Police Services in Rhode Island. In June 1969 he was appointed by Governor Frank Licht to the first Police Officers Commission on Standards and Training established under the General Laws of Rhode Island, and in June of 1971 appointed by Governor Licht as Chairman of this commission. This commission had the responsibility of establishing the first mandatory police training academy for all new municipal law enforcement officers throughout the state, excluding the City of Providence. In the Jamestown Press in the section of This Week in Island History for the Week of June 19 50 years ago, June 17, 1958, Frederick C. B. Smyth was appointed Jamestowns first permanent chief of police last night after an ordinance patterned on a similar one in North Kingstown was adopted by the Council. Mr. Smyth was a former chairman of the Rhode Island State Commission on Standards and training of Police Officers, a past member of The Rhode Island State Commission to Study Upgrading of Police Services, past president of U.R. I. Criminalistics Association, former director of Civil Defense in Jamestown, a life member of the RI Police Chiefs Association, former vestry member of St. Matthew Church, past president and team coach of the Jamestown Little League, former chairman, board member and also on the Board of Directors of the Jamestown Boys Club. He is survived by his son Frederick C. B. Smyth, Jr. of Jamestown, RI, his daughters, Barbara A. Whitaker and her husband Mel of Jamestown, RI and Susan J. Smyth of Newport, RI, his brother William R. Smyth, Jr. of Del Ray Beach, FL, his grandchildren, Melanie Whitaker of Jamestown, RI, Kristin Gouveia and her husband Alan of Jamestown, RI, Megan Jones and her husband Jeremy of Wakefield and Sarah Smyth of Jamestown, RI, his great grandchildren Kelsey Gouveia, Rileigh Gouveia and Aidan Jones and many nieces and nephews. His funeral will be private. Donations in his memory may be made to the Robert Potter League for Animals, PO Box 412, Newport, RI 02840 or to St. Matthews Church, 87 Narragansett Avenue, Jamestown, RI 02835.
Tributes
"DEAR SUE AND FAMILY, WE WERE SO SORRY TO HEAR OF YOUR DADS PASSING. OUR DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO YOU ALL. I WISH I COULD OF BEEN THERE IN YOUR TIME OF NEED, AS YOU HAVE ALWAYS BEEN THERE FOR ME.WE KEEP YOU ALL IN OUR PRAYERS. MAY YOU FIND PEACE IN KNOWING THAT YOUR DAD IS NOW WATCHING OVER ALL OF YOU! GOD BLESS. SHARI AND DONNA MATOES"
"To the Smyth Family: My deepest sympathy at a difficult time. I have had the pleasure of being Fred's legal assistant for the past several years and although he was a man of few words, once I got him talking about his pigeons, Lucky and Alice, the conversation really took off. He was a proud grandfather and family man. We often had conversations early in the morning and he was never to shy to have me read articles that he knew I would be interested in. Fred was a great comfort to me with the death of my dad and always had kind words to get me through the day. I will miss our "after retirement" talks and laughs but I know now he is with Norma and happy once again. He used to smile and laugh when we would mention, "A Philadelphia Lawyer" little did we know his dad was one. Things we learned after an untimely passing. He was quite the man with many accomplishments. My deepest sympathies. May he rest in peace."
"Sue, I was so sorry to read of your Dad's passing. You are in my thoughts and prayers. If you need anything, do not hesitate to ask my friend."
"To a wonderful Grandfather who will forever be missed...He was a proud, strong, hardworking and kind man whos lessons were of few words, but such words that have molded each generation below him into who we are and will become. We will hold our memories tightly in our hearts, and cherish the thoughts of Gramps and Grammy now being together forever."
"I recently had the chance to chat with Fred and am so sorry to learn of his passing. He will be missed."
"CONDOLENCES TO ALL THE SMYTH FAMILY. I WORKED IN THE COURTHOUSE IN NEWPORT, AND SAW FRED ON HIS JOB AS CHIEF AND WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL. MAY GOD BLESS YOU ALL."
"To Sarah and her family, We are so sorry for your loss. May your memories comfort you during this difficult time. We love you! Jack, Lisa and Jack Andrew"
"Dear Barbie and Family, I was so sorry to read of your dad's passing. I have such fond memories of your parents and was so impressed to read of your dad's remarkable life. I do remember how he had to travel to Boston for Law School...you all must be so proud of his accomplishments. Please call me / email me Barbie. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Laurie O'Connell Fischer"
"On behalf of the many friends and colleagues at the Board of Review for the Department of Labor and Training, we extend our heartfelt condolences and deepest sympathy to the family of Fred Smyth. Thomas J. Daniels Chairman"
"To all of the family and especially my dear friend, Barbara, I extend my sincere condolences. You are all in my prayers! God bless you"
"Fred, I am so sorry to hear of your loss,you are in my thoughts and prayers.I know how hard this is for you after going through it myself so recently.please let me know if you need anything. your friend Susan"