Duane F. Smith, age 63, of Tewksbury, passed away on May 1, 2017, from heart disease. He was the beloved son of Donald A. and the late June (Olsen) Smith of Peabody; cherished brother of Christine and J. Scott Smith of Peabody; father of Jennifer K. Smith of Waltham and Jessica L. and her husband, Akan Ekanem and their children, Aiden and Emmaleigh of Newmarket, N.H. He also leaves many aunts, uncles, cousins, and dozens of friends who love him and miss him deeply.

Smitty was well known for his athletic prowess at St. John's Prep, St. Anselm College and Andover Country Club. He excelled at golf, baseball, and skiing although his favorite sport was hockey. Beginning at age five, not a week went by without a skate on the ice. As the years passed, the games with the hockey guys were equal parts skating, tall tales and a few Miller Lites. He loved those games and the friendship of those guys.

Smitty is legendary amongst his family and friends for his business acumen, his kindness and generosity to all, and his stubborn and determined nature. We are all so saddened and heartbroken that he is gone from us.

Smitty's family will receive relatives and friends on Thursday, May 4 from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home at 82 Lynn St., Peabody. His celebration of life service will be held in the funeral home on Friday, May 5 at 11:30 a.m., followed by the interment at Puritan Lawn Memorial Park, Peabody. Please visit www.ccbfuneral.com for directions, online obituary and memorial guest book.