Stephen J. Smith, M.D.

Stephen J. Smith, 71, of Candia NH, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 3, 2024, after a courageous battle with bone marrow cancer that was short lived. Steve was born in Worcester, Massachusetts on January 2, 1953, son to the late William L. and Helen M. (Sullivan) Smith. Raised in Worcester, he lived in the Manchester, NH area for most of his life. 

 He was predeceased by his brother Timothy in April 2022, and leaves behind his husband, David Syrek of Candia and seven siblings; Valerie Buffone and husband Peter of Millbury; Michael Smith and wife Brenda of Oxford; John Smith and wife Lisa of Worcester; Nancy Metivier and husband Joseph of Sterling; William Smith and wife Kim of Milford; David Smith and wife Noni of Worcester; and Christopher Smith and wife Jacqueline of Scituate.

Steve also leaves 11 beloved nieces and nephews: Jennifer Buffone, Joshua Smith, Meghan (Smith) St. Amand, Joseph Metivier, Jesse Metivier, Lauren Metivier, Kristy Smith, Daniel Smith, Tyger Smith, Ace Smith and Burke Smith; ten great nieces and nephews, whom he adored; and many longtime friends, including Debralee, Robin and Roberta. 

Steve spent his first 3 years of high school at Assumption Prep in Worcester, MA, but due to their closing, spent his senior year at Simon’s Rock in Great Barrington MA, graduating in 1971. He ran cross country and excelled at academics. Steve graduated from Holy Cross College in 1977 and UMass Medical School in 1981. Steve had a long and successful career as a Urologist, becoming an early and longtime partner in Manchester Urology Associates and practicing as a surgeon at the Elliot Hospital in Manchester, retiring in 2018.

Steve’s interests led him to travel near and far, including several countries in Europe and an annual trip to Italy and Hawaii. He often took siblings with him on these trips and made some lifelong friends including Jonathan, Cathy, Lacey and her husband Mike. Steve was a lover of music, which included the Boston Symphony and annual visits to Tanglewood, but he was also just as comfortable seeing the Grateful Dead or a rock concert and was seen most days wearing a tie dye t-shirt. Steve thoroughly enjoyed cooking, making meals from scratch, growing many of his own vegetables and herbs and was well known for his pesto tortellini dish. He loved animals and took in stray dogs and cats, having as many as 6 at once.

While Steve had a successful career, was brilliant and well-traveled, he will primarily be remembered for his incredible generosity, surprising people, encouragement, inspiration, wisdom, support, sense of humor, love, making everyone feel welcome and always being there for his family and friends, and this is a very wide circle. The ways in which he’s supported people are almost as innumerable as the people he’s supported. Steve loved making people happy and hosted an annual 4th of July cookout and a Christmas party, open to anyone his family wanted to include, and both events included live musicians and an abundance of food. Since 2014, his favorite event was the annual Smith sibling weekend on Martha’s Vineyard. He cherished this time together with his siblings.

Friends and family are invited to calling hours on Friday, January 12, 2024, from 1:00 to 4:00PM with Services at 4PM, at the Mercadante Funeral Home, 370 Plantation St. Worcester, MA.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Steve’s honor to the Live and Let Live Farm, 20 Paradise Lane, Chichester, New Hampshire 03258.

To share a memory or message of condolence, please visit Steve’s online guest book on the Mercadante Funeral Home web site, www.mercadantefuneral.com 

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