Gregory Smyth, Sr.

Gregory Smyth Sr., 94, passed away peacefully on July 5, 2021, at Homestead Hall surrounded by family.

He was the beloved husband of the late Bette J. (Speakman) Smyth who passed away in 2003 after 54 years of marriage.

Born in Springfield, MA, Greg was the only child of Agnes Smyth and was raised in Grafton and Worcester where he attended St. John's High School. Following high school, Greg worked four hours at a wallpaper manufacturer and never returned from his lunch break. Seeing no future in wallpaper, Greg joined the U.S. Army where he was stationed for two years in Korea. He was honorably discharged in 1947. Upon returning, he worked as a furniture deliveryman, sold furniture, and drove a cab. In the 1960s and 70s he was employed by Howard Johnson in their vending supply service traveling the highways and byways of Massachusetts; always on the lookout for great places to eat and day trip adventures for his family. In 1978 he bought his own cab (#106) and drove for many years for both Arrow and Yellow Cab companies. After retiring, Greg delivered for Meals on Wheels in Worcester.

Greg loved to drive (however, he did not love to stop much along the way), as a result, he and Bette enjoyed many special road trips to Canada including Nova Scotia, Quebec, and Montreal. In the U.S. they traveled to Nashville, the Smokey Mountains and Florida. For many years they vacationed at Hampton Beach then kept a trailer in Exeter, NH where they shared many special memories with family and friends. In the 1960s he was a coach and president of Maranville Little League. Greg also enjoyed golfing with his son, sons in law, and grandsons.

Greg and Bette raised their family of three children in Worcester's Main South neighborhood, mostly between Cambridge and Canterbury streets where they lived until Bette's passing.

He leaves behind his loving children, Jo-Ann Wood and her husband, John of Worcester, Gregory "Butch" Smyth Jr., and his wife, Denise of Leicester and Lyn-Ann Kaminski and her husband, Tony of Worcester; four grandchildren, Jennifer Wood and her partner, Christopher Costello, Jeffrey Smyth, Elizabeth Mockus and her husband, Jason and Christopher Smyth; one great grandchild, Smyth Evelyn Mockus; extended grandchildren, James and Melissa Kaminski, Jesse and Tara Kaminski, Sara and Jason Yost, and their families.

Family and friends will gather to celebrate his life on Saturday, July 10th with visitation from 9:30am until 11:00am at the Callahan, Fay & Caswell Life Celebration Home, 61 Myrtle St., Worcester. A funeral service will follow in the funeral home with entombment at Notre Dame Cemetery. In lieu of flowers his family asks that you consider donations to Homestead Hall Staff Appreciation Fund, 10 Homestead Ave., Worcester, MA 01610 or to the JHC Hospice 646 Salisbury St., Worcester, MA 01609.