AUBURN – Burton W. Smith, 75, of Bucknam Oaks, Mechanic Falls, passed away Friday, May 13, after a lengthy illness.

He was born in Bath, on Oct. 6, 1929, the son of Raymond A. and Gertrude (Cole) Smith, and was a graduate of Morse High School in 1947.

He joined the U.S. Navy and served for four years. He chose to pursue a career in teaching, and attended the University of Maine at Orono. While in college, he married his wife, Nancy (Cram), on Feb. 11, 1955.

Soon after he graduated from college, he moved his wife and three children to Ashland, where he accepted a teaching position at Ashland High School from 1958 to 1960. In 1960, the family moved to Edgecomb, as he was assigned to teach at Wiscasset High School. He taught at Wiscasset High until 1969. With four children in tow, the family moved to Auburn in 1969, where he taught at Edward Little High School.

During his career, he also taught driver education classes and coached baseball, softball and basketball. He retired from teaching in 1982 with fond memories and high hopes for the children he had taught throughout his career.

He dearly loved his wife and family, and enjoyed family gatherings. During many family outings, he was known to teach his children how to bait a fishhook, the art of “being quiet” in the car while watching for deer in the fields, and with great pleasure he always made an adventure of bringing home the Christmas tree.

He was an avid Red Sox fan – spending many an evening sitting by the radio. He was so very pleased when the Red Sox won the World Series last year.

The knack for storytelling was his, as he shared many tales and experiences with friends and family over the years – the listener often left bursting with laughter. A few of the nicknames that his friends, family and co-workers often called him were: Bubba, Bub, Smitty, BW, Burt and Big Wheel. After retiring from teaching, he along with his wife, Nancy, ventured to Moody Mountain in Searsmont, where over the years they built the log home of their dreams on 32 acres in the beautiful Maine woods. Together they spent 19 wonderful years nestled in the “Whispering Pines.” In 2002, they moved to Bucknam Oaks in Mechanic Falls, with friends and family close by.

His hobbies and great loves included camping, canoeing, fishing and hunting – in any order and sometimes combined. He had a passion for spending time in the Maine woods, which he often referred to as “God’s country.”

His passing brings great sadness to the hearts of his family and friends; he will be missed.

Survivors include his loving wife of 50 years, Nancy (Cram) Smith; four children, daughter, Julie Ali and her husband, Shareef, of Lewiston, son, Michael Smith of Auburn, daughter, Susan Gagne and her husband, Michael, of Berwick and son, James Smith and his wife, Anne, of Poland; three grandchildren, Jason Bray of Lewiston, Michael Gagne II of Berwick and Katelyn Smith of Poland; one great-grandchild, Jayra Bray of Hebron; and many nieces and nephews.

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