Richard A. Smart

Richard A. Smart, age 75, of New Philadelphia, passed away Monday, April 14, 2025, in Ohio’s Hospice Truman House, after a short illness.

Born February 23, 1950, in Dover, he was the son of the late Winston Smart and Marcella (McFarlan) Smart Mason. Richard graduated from Dover High School in 1969, and, as a young man, was employed by the Shenango-Penn Mold Company in Dover. He later went to work for Associated Grocers in Dennison, and its successors, Tusco Grocers and Laurel Grocery Company, from which he retired. Richard married the former Donna J. Konowal on May 15, 1981; the couple had two children and shared nearly 44 years of marriage before Donna passed from cancer earlier this month.

Richard was a proud grandfather who enjoyed following his granddaughters’ school and sporting events. He loved the outdoors. As a young man, he liked going fishing, and later developed a love of gardening, growing tomatoes, peppers, garlic, onions and beets - and keeping his neighbors well-supplied. Richard also kept busy tinkering around the house and garage – but he was not always the best at follow-through. Other favorite pastimes included following the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Cleveland Browns, political discourse and faithfully playing the lottery.

Richard is survived by his children, Richele M. Smart and James W. (Abby) Smart, both of Dover; his granddaughters, Taylor, Maddie, Rion, Olivia and Avery; his cousins; and his good friend, Glenn Wright.

Besides his parents and his wife, Donna, Richard was preceded in death by his paternal grandmother, Elizabeth Smart, and his maternal grandmother, Carrie McFarlan, both of whom played a large part in his upbringing. Two special late family dogs should also be mentioned: Pepper and Kasper.

A graveside service, which is open to the public, will be held Monday, April 21, at 11 a.m., in New Philadelphia’s Evergreen Burial Park.

Contributions in Richard’s memory may be made to Ohio’s Hospice, 716 Commercial Ave. S.W., New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663.