Joseph Thomas Smith

Joseph Thomas Smith, age 95, of Bermuda Village in Bermuda Run, NC, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his loving family on September 19, 2025.

 Born on April 9, 1930, in Astoria, New York, Joe built a fulfilling career as a steamfitter. Early in his profession, he rose to the role of foreman, overseeing crews across numerous job sites throughout New York City. In the final decade of his career, he transitioned into management at the Shoreham Nuclear Power Plant on Long Island. Joe retired at the age of 56 and relocated to Wellington, Florida, where he embraced an active lifestyle filled with tennis, golf, swimming, and travel and deeply enjoyed spending time with friends and family.

Joe was known for his integrity, zest for life, and the warmth he extended to everyone he met. His friendly and caring nature made strangers feel like lifelong friends. For the past twelve years, Joe lived independently at Bermuda Village Retirement Community, where he formed deep bonds and considered his neighbors part of his extended family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas and Mabel Baker; his beloved wife, Edna; his son, Joseph Charles Smith; his daughter, Laura Marie O’Sullivan; and his great-granddaughter, Layla Rhys Savitsky-Hohf. Joe is survived by his daughter, Ellen Marie Zimmerman (Chris), and many cherished grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

A visitation will be held at Holy Family Catholic Church 4820 Kinnamon Rd., Winston Salem, NC on Monday, September 22, 2025 at 2pm, followed by a funeral Mass at 3pm. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Salvation Army or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, two of Joe’s favorite charities.