Graeme Smith

As sudden as the summer fog rolls in, Graeme John Wilson Smith left us to join the stars on August 8,2026.

Born in Glasgow, Scotland to James White Smith and Joyce Sutherland Smith, Graeme was the true definition of a Renaissance Man. Educated at the Jordanhill College School in Glasgow and the Polytechnic of Central London, he embraced photography in his early years. Being an accomplished dinghy sailor, he went on to become a Royal Yachting Association Sailing instructor and Yacht Master. He eventually secured positions as the Skipper of East End Endeavour and the James Cook (a 70m sail training yacht). In these roles he doubled as a youth worker supporting and teaching disadvantaged youths. His love for the sea afforded him an opportunity to become the Quality Manager for Oyster Marine.

Contact with the American Sail Training Association brought Graeme to the USA on April 1,1997. On June 6, 2005 he made it official and became an American Citizen. Even though Graeme was thousands of miles away, he was devoted to his family in Scotland. He cherished time spent with niece Carys and nephew Felix, sisters Gail and Ann and their husbands Dougie and Charles. And of course, his Mum, Joyce Smith.

After arriving in Rhode Island, Graeme reinvented himself and started his IT business, Atlantic Technology Group. This helped pay the bills, but mostly helped Graeme challenge his brain daily. Computer technology was just up his alley! A voracious reader, solver of puzzles and furniture builder...his hands and mind were never idle. Except when he napped!

When something would pique his interest, anyone who knew him could tell you he gave 1000% to be the best at whatever it was. He acquired a Private Pilot License on July 5, 2011, which allowed him to live his dream of flying as P2 in a Spitfire in the UK. The smile from that day lasted until his last breath. He loved cycling, woodworking, gardening, flying, music and traveling. He even played Polo in Portsmouth, RI, in the early 2000's. In most recent years, he began painting and became an accomplished artist, with work being displayed at the Watercolor Society of RI and the Portsmouth Art Guild.

If you met Graeme on the street, you would most certainly see cat hair on his clothing. His devotion to his cats was unquestionable. B.C., Rico Suave, Kelpie and Daisy May would tell you (if they could talk), that he was the best cat Dad ever.

In 2015 Graeme began a new adventure with his partner, Kerry Anne Daley. They both swept each other off their feet and formed an unbreakable bond. Whether it was a trip to a foreign land, a concert, a movie or just treasure hunting on a Saturday morning - they savored every moment they spent together.

Graeme is survived by his partner in crime, Kerry Anne Daley of Portsmouth, his mother Joyce Smith of Glasgow Scotland, two sisters Gail Stirling (Dougie) of Dundee, Scotland and Ann Smith (Charles) of Glen Tanar, Scotland, niece Carys Stirling of Amsterdam, Netherlands and nephew Felix of Edinburgh, Scotland and feline children Kelpie Marie and Daisy May of Portsmouth. He was preceded in death by his father, James White Smith and feline children B.C. and Rico Suave.

A lover of the sea, the air, nature and the arts, Graeme will be sorely missed by all who had the pleasure of being in his company.

Cremation will take place with Memorial Funeral Home in Newport, RI. A Celebration of Life will be planned and announced at a later date.

Donations in his memory can be made to the Potter League for Animals in Middletown, RI or Forever Paws in Fall River, MA.