AUBURN — George “Peanut” Edwin Smith Sr. died Saturday, Oct. 8, surrounded by his family at the Hospice House.

He was born at his family home in Yarmouth, Nov. 23, 1928, to Ray Edwin Smith and Clare Mason Henry. He was the youngest of nine, being raised by his grandmother and older sisters, after his mother died when he was two. He resided in Yarmouth most of his life.

Peanut had many jobs while growing up, from helping his dad with the store including delivering groceries, setting pins at the bowling alley, cooling down race horses after races, delivering newspapers, riding his bicycle to Gray each day to distribute flyers for the local movie theaters, among others. He recycled cardboard and newspapers long before it was fashionable.

As soon as he turned 17, he followed his brothers into the military by joining the Navy. A favorite story he told was when he was stationed in California. He witnessed the one and only flight of Howard Hughes’ Spruce Goose. He returned to Yarmouth after being discharged from the Navy in 1947.

The courting of his wife of 53 years, Blanche Thelma Bearce, started with him walking to North Yarmouth, where she lived. They married at her family home on Sept. 9, 1950. They would have two children in Maine, moved to New Jersey for a short time, where their third child was born then they moved back to Maine, before having their fourth child.

He worked with a local contractor when he first moved back to Maine. This job ended when Peanut wanted to take a week off for fishing and was told, if he did, not to come back. This lead him to taking a job with New England Telephone Co. (presently Fairpoint). Here he worked continually before taking an early retirement at 55.

Peanut and his wife, with help from family and friends, built their home on Cleaves Street in Yarmouth. He cut down the trees and took them to a friend to be cut into boards. This house was their home for 30 years in which they raised their family. They sold it after he retired to invest in a mobile way of living, using an RV to travel around the country for the next 25 years.

Peanut had three passions, beyond family and friends, which were fishing, hunting and volunteering for the Yarmouth Fire Department. He preferred fighting fires so much that when he was promoted, he gave it back so he could physically help in putting out the fires. He participated in firemen musters by traveling all over the state. His team won their first state championship in 1957. He participated in parades (driving the truck or marching) and was actively engaged with helping to start the Clam Festival.

He and his wife spent many years cooking fried clams at the firemen’s booth. Many would make it a point to visit the firemen’s booth for the fried clams. Peanut and his wife would spend 20 years summering at several campgrounds in the Millinocket area and traveling to warmer climates in the winter. One favorite site was Pray’s Big Eddy Campground, where they made friends with many who came back year after year. It was during one of these trips that his beloved wife died (2003).

He is survived by two sisters, Helen Maxwell and Ruth Douglas; one son, George “Eddy” Edwin Smith Jr. and his wife, Julie (White); two daughters, Philene Berry and Zelda Smith and her husband, Tim McClure; 11 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by all but two of his siblings, his wife and oldest son, Michael Edwin Smith.

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