Shrewsbury- Anthony V. Smolskis, 94 of 790 Grafton St., WWII Veteran, Machinist, died Friday July 22, in Bass Harbor, Maine after a short illness.

He leaves three daughters Christina A. Donovan and her husband Roland of Bass Harbor, ME, to with whom he lived with during his las few years and enjoyed every moment there. Patricia Moran of Florida. Julianne LaTour and husband Clark of Douglas, MA. Two grandchildren, grandson Michael LaTour and Chels Fiorillo. granddaughter Justine (LaTour) Gibbons and her husband Joseph and their daughter Genevieve Joy, Anthony’s first great grand-daughter. Anthony was predeceased by his beloved wife of over 50 years, Irene R. Lakus. His brothers Stephen Willins and William Valancius, three sisters, Valerie Blum, Isabelle Zaparaska, Blanche Grudzinski.

Born and raised in Worcester, son of the late Anthony Smolskis and Mary Urches. Anthony lived in Shrewsbury for over 63 years. He attended Worcester Boys Trade. Joining the Navy during WWII, he was Petty Officer 3rd Class and was assigned to the USS Breckenridge and the USS Munda Carrier. He was stationed in Guam, Marianna Island and Pearl Harbor. He was also part of the SeaBees 103rd Naval Construction Battalion. After his service in the Navy, he became a Baker for the Rutland Veterans Admin and worked at Table Talk Pies. In 1957 he joined Norton Company, in Abrasive 6 where he retired over 32 years later in 1989. Retirement did not stop him; he started his own lawn care business. He was happiest taking care of his vegetable gardens and many flowers at his home, in Shrewsbury, which he referred to as “God’s little acre”. There he created countless memories alongside his wife, family, his dogs Booty, Dandy, Gumby, Brandy and Holly.

There are no calling hours. Roney Funeral Home, 152 Worcester St., North Grafton is handling funeral arrangements. A Christian Mass will be on July 28th at 11am at St. Mary’s Church, 17 Waterville St., North Grafton. Burial with Military Honors will immediately follow at Mount View Cemetery in Shrewsbury.