BIOGRAPHY

Smith was born in Waterville, Maine, USA, on 3 March 1908. He graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Colby College in Maine and performed with the violin at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston. Following this, he joined the Hammond Organ Co. and dedicated most of his career to working as an electronic engineer.

In 1983, on his 75th birthday, he married his second wife, Priscilla (who was 48 at the time). The couple met on a windjammer cruise off the coast of Maine in 1982, following the passing of Francis’ first wife. They traveled extensively and frequently sailed with friends along the Maine coast, embarking on week-long voyages at a time. While still residing in Maine, he constructed an addition onto their home when he was in his late 80s and continued to shovel snow into his late 90s. In 2002, the couple moved to East Naples, Florida.

At the age of 105, she was still exercising at Planet Fitness twice a week and with a personal trainer (with whom he started training at 100) once a week. He remained very active until just before his 107th birthday. He celebrated his 106th birthday with a party at the gym, but he had to stop before his 107th birthday because he needed to use a walker to get around. His second wife mentioned that he jokingly used to say the secret of his longevity was “Jack Daniels and fast women.” On his 110th birthday, he suffered a bruised nerve from sitting in his wheelchair for about 2½ hours without a cushion, rendering him immobile for three to four weeks. He began receiving in-house hospice care on 1 April.

Smith passed away in Naples, Florida, USA, on 18 August 2018, at the age of 110 years, 168 days. He was survived by his three sons, 10 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren, as well as his second wife and her four children.

RECOGNITION

In March 2018, he celebrated his 110th birthday, becoming the second male supercentenarian who was born in the state of Maine, the first one being Fred Hale in December 2000.

On 13 November 2017, following the passing of 110-year-old Bernard Nenner, he likely became the oldest living man in the state of Florida.

His age was verified by Stefan Maglov and Jimmy Lindberg, and validated by LongeviQuest on 5 May 2024.

ATTRIBUTION

* “Centenarian’s secret: Naples man turns 105, works out daily” – Naples Daily News, 1 March 2013

* “Collier man who lived to 110 was happy, active; ‘he rode a bicycle every day‘” – Naples Daily News, 22 August 2018

GALLERY