Dover-Foxcroft - Worden William "Jake" Smith, 78, passed away peacefully at his home on July 12, 2026, with his beloved wife, Glenda, by his side.

Jake was born November 2, 1947, in Hartland, the son of Millard Stewart Smith and Lucille (Huff) Smith. The youngest of six children, he grew up in Sangerville, Abbott, and Monson. He attended schools in those communities and graduated from Monson Academy in 1966.

A gifted athlete, Jake excelled in basketball and baseball. He earned several athletic honors, including selection as a league basketball all-star, and received a scholarship to play basketball at Husson College. After a short time at Husson, he chose to leave school to work, support his young family, and help care for his newborn son, Dirk. That decision reflected the priorities that guided Jake throughout his life: family first, hard work, personal responsibility, and leading by example.

Jake married his high school sweetheart, Glenda (Brown) Smith, on September 4, 1965. Together they built their lives and raised their sons in Monson and Dover-Foxcroft. They celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on September 4, 2025. Jake was a devoted husband and father whose priorities were firmly centered on his family, and his example of commitment, perseverance, and responsibility will always be cherished.

For more than 35 years, Jake was self-employed under his own name, providing carpentry, painting, renovation, and contracting services throughout Piscataquis County. He was known for his skill, resourcefulness, strong work ethic, and willingness to take on difficult projects. He continued working later in life, especially when his abilities could be used to help his family.

Jake was also an entrepreneur and a natural dealmaker. During the mid-1970s, he and Glenda owned and operated the Coffee Shoppe in Monson, where they worked side by side. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, he operated Barter and Browse resale store in Guilford. He also invested extensively in local real estate, buying, renovating, and reselling many homes throughout the area. Jake loved to buy, sell, trade, and, as he would say, "dicker" with people.

Among his proudest accomplishments were building his own home on Lake Hebron in Monson and helping renovate his son Dean's farmhouse at Katahdin View Farm in Dover-Foxcroft. These projects remain lasting examples of his craftsmanship, determination, and love for his family.

Monson held a special place in Jake's heart throughout his life. He served the Town of Monson for multiple years as both a selectman and constable, served on the Monson Academy Board of Trustees, and was a member of the Monson Snowmobile Club. He also helped organize and operate community events, including Monson Snow Roller Day and Monson Field Day. Even after making his home in Dover-Foxcroft, his ties to Monson, its people, and its traditions remained strong.

Sports were one of Jake's lifelong passions. He played local men's league basketball and softball for many years and coached his sons' elementary-school basketball and baseball teams. He loved competition, teamwork, and the fellowship that surrounded the games. Jake was also an enthusiastic supporter of Foxcroft Academy and University of Maine athletics during the years of his son Dean’s time in basketball and grandson Hunter’s time in football. He attended a tremendous number of games and loudly encouraged student-athletes, especially family members and family friends - sometimes to the referees' dismay. Former teammates, rivals, and even the referees became part of the broad circle of people whose stories and friendships he valued.

Jake loved hunting and the outdoors, home improvement, yard care, music, and time spent with family. He particularly enjoyed country music, especially the music of Dick Curless, and one of his favorite songs was "Ain't Love a Lot Like That" by George Jones. He cherished stories, conversation, teasing, laughter, and general fellowship with family, friends in the community, former customers, teammates, and competitors.

Those who knew Jake will remember a hardworking and passionate family man: competitive, stubborn, generous, attentive, and deeply supportive. He was a leader by example, a coach, a world-class jokester, and a man who could turn an ordinary conversation into a story that would be repeated for years. His family will forever treasure the many "Papa-isms" he left behind. One of his favorite warnings was, "The nose knows," delivered with a grin and the suggestion that his famously prominent nose would somehow reveal whether anyone had done something wrong.

Above all, Jake loved his family. He was an exceptionally attentive and loving "Papa," always present, always supportive, and always teaching through the way he lived. He took particular joy in welcoming his first great-grandson, Paxton, who was three months old at the time of Jake's passing.

Jake is survived by his wife of 60 years, Glenda (Brown) Smith; his sons, Dirk Justin Smith, and Dean Judson Smith and his wife, Debra (Donnelly) Smith; his grandsons, Judson "Hunter" Smith, and Justin "Hyatt" Smith and his wife, Makenzie Jann Smith; his great-grandson, Paxton Hyatt Smith all of Dover-Foxcroft; and many beloved nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents; his older twin brothers, Leo Smith and Leonard Smith; his older brother, Stewart Smith Jr.; and his older sisters, Wanda (Smith) Foster and Minetta May Brown.

Jake deeply cherished the relationships he formed with family, former teammates and rivals, friends throughout the community, former customers, and all those fortunate enough to cross paths with him. The stories, jokes, conversations, teasing, and fellowship they shared left a lasting impression. There are countless memories and sayings that will forever be cherished by those who knew Jake as a husband, father, Papa, friend, teammate, competitor, neighbor, and craftsman.

The family would especially like to express its profound appreciation to all medical personnel, emergency workers, family members, and friends who provided Jake and his family with care, assistance, comfort, kindness, and support.

Memorial visitation will be held Thursday, July 23, 2026, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Lary Funeral Home, 62 Summer Street, Dover-Foxcroft. Family and friends are warmly encouraged to attend and share their favorite Jake stories, jokes, and memories. A committal service will be held at a later date at Elmwood Cemetery in Guilford. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Monson Historical Society Gym Roof Fund, P.O. Box 308, Monson, ME 04464.