Austin E. Smith

Austin, 65, passed away at home on January 14th, 2025. He was a beloved partner, cherished father, and dedicated friend. Austin was born the middle child of seven children in Bath, ME, and grew up on West Side Road in Conway, NH. Austin will be remembered as a kind, colorful, intelligent, giving man who loved his family and community. Austin "Auzzie" was a skilled carpenter who built many homes and businesses all around the Mount Washington Valley and the East Coast of the US. Austin learned to work with his hands at a young age, eventually starting his own company building nationally known chains like GAP and Subway stores. Austin will be missed by his long-time partner, Patti Smith, originally of North Reading, MA. The two made their home in the Mount Washington Valley and raised three daughters between them. He taught his girls how to ride bikes, ski, skate, hit fastballs, shoot baskets, catch fish, drive a stick, start a fire, and cook a mean breakfast. Austin’s children and grandchildren will always have fond memories of apple picking, swimming, backyard cookouts, cheering him on at softball tournaments, learning to play sports, and “helping” around construction sites. Austin was a gifted athlete and admired teammate who never met a sport he didn’t love. Known as “the Griz,” he played nearly 20 seasons as a center fielder for various MWV softball teams, traveling to tournaments and winning a state championship in the early 90s. He was active in his daughter’s sports careers, coached girl’s softball and boy’s basketball at Bartlett school, and loved playing golf into his final years. In his younger years, Austin served in the US Navy and was stationed near Chicago, IL. He later returned to Conway and worked as a chef at the Scottish Lion and other local establishments before growing his business as a builder. Austin was an avid reader with a strong interest and knowledge of American history. Austin is predeceased by father Onslow “Franklin” Smith, mother Bernice Betty Bell, brothers Paul, Scott, and Frank "Butch" Smith, and daughter Tasha Smith. He leaves behind a multitude; his longtime love, Patti Smith, of Conway, daughters Brittany Carambio and her husband Colter, and Dakota Walsh and her husband Kyle, his beloved grandchildren Katie, Lilly, and Parker. His son in- law Eric Page, His siblings Mona Golden, Karen Smith, Charles Smith, Laurie Cunningham, his “right hand man” Seth Bailey, and so many cousins, nieces and nephews and beloved friends. Funeral services will be held at Furber and White funeral home on February 1st from 1pm- 3pm followed by a celebration of life held at The Conway Legion Post 46 from 4pm- 8pm.