James Smith

James Robert Smith, 73, of Hopkinton passed away on May 18 after a three-year battle with a terminal illness. Jim was born in Framingham and was a 1968 graduate of Hopkinton High School.

Jim refused to let his illness hold him back, and he and his family tried everything they could to keep his life normal for as long as possible. Jim lived his life doing what he loved the most — driving his tractor-trailer, tending to his lawn and visiting the beach. He loved any truck, but he preferred Freightliners and Fords with classic country music playing. He was a small business owner for over 50 years and had continued driving his beloved tractor-trailer until the winter of 2023. He believed that his lawn was meant to be manicured and appreciated from a distance and regularly discouraged people and pets from walking on it. Jim’s dream had been to retire and live by the ocean with his family.

Jim leaves behind his wife of 43 years, Nancy (Piso), and his daughter, Caitlin Smith and fiancé Edward Painter. He also leaves behind his mother, Phyllis Smith, his brother, Thomas Smith and wife Melanie, and two nephews. In addition, he leaves his sister-in-law, Susan Turpin and husband Thomas Turpin, and his three nieces. He was preceded in death by his father, Thomas Edward Smith, and also leaves behind many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family members.

A private memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, Jim’s family is asking that donations be made in his name to the White River Animal Rescue (whiteriveranimalrescue.org/donate), from which Jim’s rescue dog, Scout, was adopted.

Obituaries are submissions, typically from funeral homes, that are not subject to the same level of editorial oversight as the rest of the Hopkinton Independent. Obituaries may be edited for grammatical and factual mistakes and clarifications and shortened for space considerations.