Merrimac, MA – Malcolm H. Smith, 98, passed away peacefully at High Pointe Hospice House in Haverhill on August 2, 2026, surrounded by his loving family.
Malcolm was born in Haverhill on December 22, 1927, to Malcolm O. and Marjorie H. (Davis) Smith. He was raised and educated in Haverhill and attended the Haverhill Trade School. He then went on to serve in the U.S. Army for more than 22 years, during which time he met his wife Mitsuko (Iijima) Smith in Japan, whom he married on April 1, 1950. While serving in the U.S. Army, Malcolm relocated often during the years and it seemed that with each new state they lived in, the family grew by another child. The Smith Family finally settled down in Merrimac as a family with three daughters and three sons.
Malcolm was a veteran of World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. After retiring from the U.S. Army, he opened Iijima, a grocery store in Haverhill, MA, with Richard Gosselin. He later established Iijima II in Merrimac, MA. Never one to take it easy, he worked at the IRS until retiring once again, after which he devoted many years to tracing his genealogy throughout Maine and down to Plymouth, MA.
Malcolm loved to drive! He owned a vacation home in Florida where he spent many years, often visiting Disney World to people watch and enjoy a meal. Known for making numerous cross-country trips to visit family, well into his 80s, he brought his grandchildren along at times for a memorable adventure. Not one to waste time, he once completed a return trip from California in just 62 hours. He knew the mile markers from Massachusetts to Florida and across to California, as well as the best rest stops and cheapest places to buy gas.
One of the most meaningful events in Malcolm’s later years was participating in an “Honor Flight” to Washington, D.C. in October 2024. Initially reluctant to attend, he was ultimately moved to tears by the day’s experiences, a testament to the profound impact it had on him. As a WWII Veteran, the founder of Honor Flight New England said he would be treated like a “Rock Star,” and indeed he was. The recognition and acknowledgment of his service were deeply significant, and from that day until his final moments, he never stopped speaking about this unforgettable day.
Malcolm’s greatest joy in life was his family. He made sure his home had an in ground pool so his backyard would always be a place where family gathered. He found immense happiness in feeding those he loved, always keeping the house stocked with ice cream, soda and snacks for everyone to enjoy. When cooking for his family, right up through last Christmas, he made sure all special dietary issues were thoughtfully taken care of.
One of Malcolm’s greatest gifts was his remarkable memory. He loved sharing stories and memories that spanned nearly a century, giving his family and all those he met a treasured glimpse into the experiences of his 98 years. He continued sharing those stories right up until the end of his life, even making an impact with the loving staff at High Pointe Hospice House who provided exceptional care during his final days.
Above all, Malcolm was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and brother. His family was the center of his world and was his greatest source of pride and joy. He will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him. To have known him was to have loved him.
He is survived by his children, Helen Gosselin of Merrimac; Roger Smith and his wife Janice of Merrimac; Linda Smith of Merrimac; Michael “Mickey” Smith and his wife Susan of Milford, NH; Gerald “Jerry” Smith and his wife Kathleen of Salem, NH; Diana “Dee Dee” Simmons and her husband Timothy of Haverhill; fifteen grandchildren, Alan Gosselin and his wife Lauren, Jayme Smith Waye, Jarrod Smith and his wife Alison, Kristian Smith, Danielle Smith Cameron and her fiancé John Ogiba, Michael Smith, Jr. and his wife Emily, Darren Smith, Brandon Smith and his wife Cassandra, Amanda Smith, David Smith, Nicole Smith and her fiancé Scott Weismann, Cassandra Morrow and her husband Eric, Alexandra “Allie” Fraser and her husband Jonathan, Vanessa Simmons and her partner Cameron White; fifteen great-grandchildren, Leo Gosselin, Brooke Brennan and her partner Shayna Wing, Jeffrey and Ariana Waye, Colby Cameron and her fiancé Tyler Mazzaglia, Hailey and Logan Cameron, Darien and Mei-Li Smith, Evan and Roslind Smith, Whelan and Kailand Morrow, Samuel Weismann, Callum Fraser; three step grandchildren Jennifer Wells, Sarah Loui and Stephen Demers; andfivestep great-grandchildren, Colton Page, Morgan and Grace Wells, Camden and Serafina Maragioglio; his brother Paul Smith of Salem, NH; several nieces and nephews in Japan, Canada and the United States. He was predeceased by his wife Mitsuko (Iijima) Smith, and his beloved grandson, Blair Gosselin.
Family and friends are respectfully invited to attend calling hours on Friday, August 28th from 4PM until 7PM at the Kevin B. Comeau Funeral Home, 486 Main Street, Haverhill. Funeral services will be private. Donations may be made in his name to: Honor Flight New England PO Box 16287 Hooksett, NH 03106. Please visit www.comeaufuneral.com or Comeau Funeral Home on Facebook.
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