Alan C. Smith
LOWELL — Alan C. Smith, 76, of Lowell, passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, with his loving family by his side.
Born in Jackson, Mississippi, on January 25, 1949, he was a son of the late Robert and Lyda (Lee) Smith. Alan was raised in Jackson before attending Vanderbilt University in Nashville. He later proudly served his country in the United States Army stationed in Berlin. After the Army, he returned to Vanderbilt to complete his degree.
While in Nashville, Alan met the love of his life, Dorothy (Heenan). The two were married and shared forty-two wonderful years of marriage built on love, laughter, and shared adventures.
Alan and Dorothy made their home in Lowell, MA where he became an integral part of the community. He enjoyed trap shooting with friends at the Lowell Sportsmen’s Club and found joy in woodworking—particularly turning beautiful bowls. He served as Treasurer of The Abbey for three years. Professionally, Alan spent his career as an engineer, most recently at Medtronic where he retired in 2015.
Above all else, Alan was a devoted husband, father, and loyal friend to many. He was known for his ability to fix anything, his love of pastries and ice cream, and his deeply inquisitive nature. His warmth, wit, intellect, and steady presence will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.
His survivors include his loving wife, Dorothy; his daughters, Elizabeth Smith and her significant other, Andrew Kucksdorf of Boston, and Emily Smith and her husband, Stuart Ohler of Oakland, CA; his siblings, Robert G. Smith and his wife, Donnie, of Jackson, MS, and Sheryl Ray and her husband, Dr. Charles Ray, of New Orleans, LA; and many nieces and nephews.
You are invited to his visitation on Friday, May 2, 2025 from 4 until 7 p.m. at the Mahoney Funeral Home, 187 Nesmith Street, 978-452-6361. On Saturday, May 3, please join the family at Lowell Cemetery Chapel at 11:30AM for a memorial service. Donations in Alan’s name can be made to the Red Cross, 60 Island Street, Lawrence MA 01840 or to PBS at https://donate.wgbh.org/wgbh/pbs-donate. Please find us on Facebook or visit www.MahoneyFuneralHome.com at any time to send the family your condolences.
2 Comments
Alan was a welcomed member of the Lowell Sportsmans Club of North Chelmsford. He was a great trap shooter and always willing to put in extra effort to make our trap field one of the best in the area. He will be missed on Sunday afternoon shoots. Our heartfelt sympathies to his wife and family members.
Brian D Campbell
President Lowell Sportsmen’s Club
Alan was my cousin who was the closest to me in age and with whom I was closest. I spent several weeks with him each summer in Jackson, Mississippi as a child and young teen and have very fond memories of reading comic books, playing checkers, working on jigsaw puzzles, building model airplanes, fishing, and many other things, including harvesting garden vegetables and doing other chores. A few years later, we both were at Vanderbilt at the same time. Alan had a basement apartment across the street from the school, and we met there for lunch about once a week to share stories over very frugal sandwiches. In the many years since then, we visited only a few times, but I cherish the memories of my tall, gentle cousin and his dry humor. I will miss him very much.
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