Obituary of Adam Smolski

Adam P. Smolski, Veteran, engineer, and family man passed away on Thursday morning, September 1, 2016. He was 91 years old. Adam was born in Norwood, the son of the late Michael and Frances Smolski. He grew up in Norwood and was a graduate of Norwood High School. Like many young men of his day, he immediately enlisted in the Army to fight for his country in World War II. He was a member of the 328th Infantry Regiment. The 328th landed on Utah Beach in Normandy. As Adam would describe to his family, he and the 328th walked across Europe seeing considerable action and many casualties as they fought in Moncourt Woods, Saar offensive through Lorrainne and the Maginot Line and into Germany. On Christmas Day, his regiment along with many others fought in one of the major battles of WW II, the Battle of the Bulge. They would later continue into Czechoslovakia and where stopped steps from Berlin to allow the Russians to enter Berlin first. Adam and his fellow soldiers marched for hundreds of miles through the mud, rain, snow, and bitter cold proudly serving their leader, General Patton as the triumphantly crushed the Nazi Empire. Adam received the European African Middle Eastern Theater Campaign Ribbon, American Theater Campaign Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, WW II Victory Medal, Army of the Occupation Medal, and the Bronze Star. Last year, while on a family trip to Disney World, Adam was recognized at the Disney Veteran of the Day where he and his family took part in the Flag Ceremony and featured him in the Disney Parade. He was proud to be a WW II veteran and was often seen wearing his WW II hat. He continued his support of the US Military as a member of the Burlington Legion and founding member and longtime treasurer of the Burlington Veterans of Foreign Wars. After the war, Adam went to school at Northeastern University earning his engineering degree. He spent 32 years working at Electronic Space System Company as an electronics engineer. He specialized in radar systems used by airports and the military installations as well as Doppler radar used for weather research. He traveled all over the world designing, installing, and maintaining ESSCO’s products. Whenever he flew, he would proudly point to Logan Airport’s tower and say he helped build it. Adam was a man who believed in hard work, family, and giving of oneself. He could do anything around the house from carpentry, plumbing, electrical or any skill required to get the job done. His home in Wareham is a testament to his abilities. He purchased the small seasonal cottage in 1955. Over the years he continually improved, enlarged, and made it a yearlong home. He was always there for his family and friends with his toolbox ready to share his knowledge or talent. Even in his 80’s and 90’s, he was lending a hand giving advice on how to fix, repair, or improve items around his children, grandchildren, friends, and neighbors’ homes. As talented with his hands, he had a sharp business mind as well. Along with family and friends, he belonged to the Rendezvous Investment Club for decades. The members would pool their money, strategize their investments, and test their skills in the stock market. Up until his final days, he was still on his computer keeping an eye on his holdings and trying to predict the volatility of the market. Adam was a man of family. He was blessed to have shared 63 years of marriage with his loving wife Constance. They had 2 children, 5 grandchildren, and 2 great grandchildren. His home in Wareham is where they all stayed close, enjoyed each other’s company, and created so many wonderful family memories filled with laughter and love. Adam always had many boats over the years and he himself was riding his jetski until the age of 90. Only last month, he was still helping his nephew launch the jetski. He was a wonderful role model to his family showing them by example the importance of hard work, community, country, faith, and devotion to all those he loved. It was his wish that this funeral be held at St. Patrick’s Church because of the over 60 years he spent going there with his family during the summer season. Adam was the devoted husband of 63 years of Constance H. (Driscoll). He was the loving father of Edward & his wife Karen of Burlington and Barbara Vieira of Groton and her late husband John Vieira. He was predeceased by his sisters; Anne Gotovich and Adelia Smolski. He was the proud Papa of Adam M. Smolski of Derry, NH, Rachel Miller of Ayer, John Paul Vieira of Groton, Lauren Auciello of Ayer and Lindsey Vieira of Chelmsford and the great grandfather of Lucas and Logan Miller. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Patrick’s Church, Wareham on Thursday, September 8 at 11 a.m. The interment will follow at the MA National Veterans Cemetery in Bourne. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Adams name may be made to St. Patrick’s Church, 82 High St., Wareham, MA 02571. Arrangements by the Sullivan Funeral Home, Burlington. For directions, obituary & online guestbook see www.stpatrickswareham.org or www.sullivanfuneralhome.net