The following obituary is available at legacy.com:
Jeffrey P. Smith, age 70, of Fairfield, the loving husband of Carol MacKenzie Smith, passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 7, 2014.
Born in Brooklyn, NY to the late Harry and Lillian Smith, Jeff was a graduate of Rye Tech in Stamford and attended the Culinary Institute of America. Prior to his retirement, Jeff was the owner of A Sign Depot in Newtown and The Deli-Bake in New Canaan, which he owned with his father.
A well-known bird carver, Jeff won several first place ribbons over the years at the Wildfowl Carving Competition in Maryland. Several articles have been written about Jeff’s carvings, and he was once quoted saying, “I’ve been pretty lucky with it, I guess. I’ve sold them to a lot of interesting people,” he said. “I’ve got birds around the world.”
In addition to his wife, Jeff is survived by his two devoted daughters, Kyle Ann McCarthy and her husband, Christopher and Kelli Lyn Smith, both of Fairfield and his three cherished grandsons, Colin, Gavin and Dylan. He was predeceased by his sister, Gale Lorden.
Friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial on Thursday, December 11, 2014 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Anthony of Padua Church, 149 S. Pine Creek Road, Fairfield. Interment is private.
Visitation will take place on Wednesday, December 10, 2014 from 5-8 p.m. at the Shaughnessey Banks Funeral Home, 50 Reef Road in Fairfield Center. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to The Connecticut Audubon Society, 2325 Burr Street, Fairfield, CT 06824.
To send an online condolence, please visit www.shaughnesseybanks.com.
My first memories of New Canaan revolve around going to the Deli-Bake in the 1960’s. My parents bought, well if not a true fixer-upper, it was the next thing up! Whilst my parents worked on the place, our family would make frequent runs to the Deli-Bake for incredible sandwiches, sandwiches the likes of which we had never seen before! I also have fond memories of going to the Deli-Bake immediately after church service on Sundays for one of their signature “swirl” cookies. At one time I called them “Time Tunnel” cookies in keeping with a 1966-1967 TV series with the same name. But really the highlight of each and every trip was talking to the warm, hospitable, and kind Smith Family members. I truly thought the family was every bit as sweet as their delectable baked goods. So sorry to hear of Jeffrey Smith’s passing. RIP to a wonderful man from a wonderful family.
Sorry to hear about Jeff’s passing! 70 is way too young…what a shame. I moved to Illinois from Connecticut nearly 30 years ago and have not kept up with the goings on back home. I was googling the old DeliBake and came upon this article.
I worked for Harry and Jeff for about 1-1/2 years starting in 1969. That was my very first job and I learned so much from the both of them. As I recall, Jeff had just gotten out of the army and came back to work with Harry. The article reminded me that Jeff was into bird carvings big time. It was impressive even for a no nothing 16 year old.
Jeff’s wife may remember me…I babysat their daughter once or twice.
Anyway, my condolences to the family! Jeff was a good guy.
Mike Pastore