Rodney Smith

Rodney William Smith, age 88, of Danville, passed away at the Greensboro Nursing Home, on Thursday, February 9, 2017, following a period of declining health.

Rodney was born in Marlborough, MA, on September 15, 1928, son to the late Ralph and Ethel (Baldwin) Smith.  He was raised and educated in Hudson, MA, graduating from Hudson High School in the Class of 1946.  Following high school he worked on a farm in Rockingham, VT for three years, developing a love of all things John Deere that would continue for the rest of his life.  He worked on farm in Stow, MA, from 1950-1963. Rodney enjoyed agriculture and farm work and loved driving through the country looking at farms.  Rodney had a special friendship of over 50 years with Amish friends in Lancaster County, PA, that he treasured.  He joined the National Guard while in Vermont and continued his service for 8 years, transferring to the Massachusetts Guard when he moved back to MA to work for Casaceli Trucking in Hudson as a heavy equipment operator for the next 26 years retiring in 1989.  Rodney and his wife, Kathy, moved to Danville in 1990.  Rodney worked summers for the next four years for Dana Calkins, Bert Frye and Bob Farmer as a heavy equipment operator.  He was predeceased by his first wife, Barbara (Nelson) Owen.  Rodney married Kathy E. Farnsworth in 1985.  They shared 41 years together traveling to 49 of the 50 states and all but three of the Canadian provinces.  They enjoyed almost 30 years of snowmobiling.  They built their home in Danville and enjoyed entertaining friends and family.
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Rodney is survived by his beloved wife, Kathy, of Danville, VT; a sister, Charlotte Severson of Warren, Michigan; two nieces and two nephews and their families as well as three grandsons and their families.  Rodney is also survived by a large family of cousins and many good friends.

A private service will be held at the convenience of the family in the late spring.

Memorial donations may be made in Rodney’s name to either the Activities fund at Greensboro Nursing Home, 47 Maggie’s Pond Road, Greensboro, VT 05841 or to the American Heart Association, P. O. Box 954, Wilton, NH  03086-0954.

With heartfelt thanks to the nurses, aides and staff of the Greensboro Nursing Home for the exceptional and devoted care given to Rodney during the last three years of his life.

Memories and condolences may be shared at www.saylesfh.com.