CUSHING - Gerald Austin Smith, 87, passed away peacefully on Oct. 26, 2016, surrounded by his family at his home in Cushing.

Born in Cushing on Nov. 16, 1928, he was the son of Herbert and Iola Foster Smith.

As a child, Gerald worked by his father's side on their dairy farm in Cushing, and also in their family store.

He attended local schools and graduated from Thomaston High School in 1948.

As an adult, Gerald carried on his father's dairy business and was a life-long produce farmer. He married his wife, Judith Campbell, in 1961. During the fall and winter months, Gerald cut pulp and fire wood, making daily trips to Augusta to supply the then-thriving paper mills. He sold his milk to Vinal's Dairy, but as dairy regulations grew, he phased out the dairy part of his livelihood and concentrated on the produce farm in Cushing. He supplied local grocery stores such as Finest, Sampson's, IGA, Hannaford and Fresh Off the Farm. At times, he also supplied One Pie with squash and pumpkins. He was known for his homemade sauerkraut that he made annually from a secret recipe passed down to him from his mother and father. Gerald had a very strong work ethic. There was a time when he would milk his cows early in the morning, make two trips in his pulp truck to the mill in Augusta, milk the cows again, and still be home to have dinner with his family. Gerald instilled this work ethic into his children and grandchildren as they grew up. They worked by his side, cutting wood in the forest, haying in the fields, or working in his many gardens by picking rocks, weeding, hoeing, planting cabbage and assisting with many of the other jobs associated with gardening.

He enjoyed Sunday drives that consisted of driving around the state of Maine looking at woodlots and finding the best hotdog stand around.

When Gerald wasn't working, he loved boating and fishing, often stopping and camping on the islands in Muscongus Bay. He enjoyed spending time with family at the shore (the beach) along the St. George River and occasionally digging clams nearby. In the earlier years, he was an avid snowmobiler and belonged to The Snow Sailers snowmobile group. Gerald was also a great dancer. He and his wife, Judy, wouldn't think twice about jumping in the car and driving all the way to Portland just to dance the night away. He was also a true animal lover, having many cats and dogs for pets throughout his life.

In his older years, he enjoyed sitting by the kitchen window, watching the wildlife that was so abundant at his home, while receiving visits from his children, grandchildren and friends who would stop by. Not a day went by or was complete until he got his 5 o'clock phone call from his neighbor, Charlie. Gerald was loved and admired by all who knew him.

Gerald was an honorary lifetime member of the Rockland Elks Club.

Gerald was predeceased by his parents, Herbert and Iola Smith; his sisters, Arlene Whitehill, Zetta Sturdee and Marguerite Kangas; his brother, Harold Smith; and his grandson, Shawn Winchenbach.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 55 years, Judith Smith of Cushing; his children, Libby Wilson and her partner, Robert Duga, of Searsport, Susan Davenport and her husband, James, David Smith and his wife, Ruth, Jody-Ann McKee and her husband, Randall, William Stambaugh and his wife, Kim, Paul Smith and his wife, Mary, and Cheryl Frye and her husband, John, all of Cushing; his grandchildren, Matthew Wilson of New Mexico, Jessica Bartholomew and her husband, Christopher, of Downingtown, Pa., Timothy Wilson and his wife, Rachel, of Waldo, Stacia Robinson and her husband, Winston, of Union, Brandi Smith-Helstrom and her husband, Jenner, of New Gloucester, Heather Prior and her husband, Nathan, of Cushing, James William Davenport and his wife, Winnie, of Cushing, Rachel Campbell and her fiancé, Jon Burns, of Union, Nathan Stambaugh and his wife, Darla, of Vinalhaven, William Nicholas Smith of Cushing, and Jill Bradbury of Portland; his great-grandchildren, Nathan Stambaugh, Afton Bartholomew, Colton Bartholomew, Olivia Wilson, Roman Davenport, Harlan Helstrom, Marcella Stambaugh and Clyson Prior; his brother-in-law, Calvin Sturdee of Rockland; as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A graveside service will be held on Thursday, Nov. 10, at 2 p.m. at Achorn Cemetery on Old County Road in Rockland. The Rev. Wayne Sawyer will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to The Cushing Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 20, Cushing, ME 04563 or Pope Memorial Humane Society of Knox County, P.O. Box 1294, Rockland, ME 04841.

Arrangements are in the care of Burpee, Carpenter, and Hutchinson Funeral Home.