James R. "Smitty" Smith

April 12, 1942 - April 22, 2022

James R. “Smitty” Smith, age 80, of Wilmington, Delaware, passed away peacefully on April 22, 2022. Jim was born and raised in Wilmington, Delaware and was the son of the late James B. and Margaret C. Smith. He attended St. Thomas the Apostle School and graduated from Wilmington High School. He worked and retired from the Carpenter’s Local Union 626 where he worked for many years. Jim enjoyed many summers in Bethany Beach, Delaware with his family, where he had a home for many years. He was an avid Phillies, Eagles and Nascar fan. For the past few years, Jim enjoyed watching his grandson Christopher race micro sprints and was one of his biggest fans. He looked forward to that every weekend. During his younger years, he enjoyed playing softball and hunting with his buddies. He enjoyed spending time with his family and cherished his grandchildren and great-granddaughters very much. Jim is survived by his wife of 42 years, Carol (Campbell) Smith; daughters, Frances Anne Burg (Kenny) and Michelle Fenimore (Wayne); grandsons: Bobby, Stephen, Matthew, and Christopher; granddaughter, Jessica Yerkes; great-granddaughters, Adriana and Madison; sister, Margaret “Peggy” Johnson of Baton Rouge, LA; sister-in-law, Karen Fitch of Pine Hurst, NC; and many loving nieces and nephews. Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his brother, Daniel Smith; and daughter, Paula Paoli. The family would like to thank Christiana Care, Dr. James Hopkins and the cardiology team, Dr. Sourin Banjeri and congestive heart failure team. We would like to extend our thanks to the wonderful ICU nurses and doctors who cared for him the last two weeks. We couldn’t have asked for better care. Service and burial will be private. To send an online condolence, visit www.stranofeeley.com