Richard Bruce Smith

Richard Bruce Smith, a lifelong resident of Roslindale, died Wednesday, July 22, 2026 at the West Roxbury Veteran's Administration Hospital.  He was 77.  Bruce was born May 8, 1949 in Boston, Massachusetts, the son of Richard Seymour and Vera Ray (Eustace) Smith, immigrants from Newfoundland, Canada.  He graduated from Roslindale High School with the Class of 1965 and in 1967 he enlisted in the Navy. During his four year tour of duty he earned the National Defense Service Medal, the Parachutist Insignia, the Expert Rifle Medal, the Expert Pistol Medal, and the Underwater Demolition Team (UDT) Insignia.  He was honorably discharged in 1971 as a Boatswain's Mate 3rd Class.  Bruce worked as a mail carrier for the US Post Office.  He was a proud Navy Veteran and a member of the UDT-Seal Asociation in Virginia and the UDT-Seal Museum Asociation of Florida.  Bruce also was  life Member of the Boston Lodge of Elks, chapter 10.  He was the brother of the late Barbara Rae Nagel.  He is survived by his two sons, Richard Jeannetti, and his wife Melody, of Norwood, and Christopher R. Freeman, and his wife Delysa, of Homestead, Florida; and his five grandchildren, Giovanni Jeannetti, Landon Freeman, Allyson Freeman, Adrian Freeman, and Lilliana Freeman.  Visiitng hours will be held, Thursday, July 30th from 4 to 7 pm at the Folsom Funeral Home, 87 Milton Street, Dedham, MA.  A Celebration of Life will be held at a time and place to be announced later on this website.