<VV> Smitty's Memorial Service (William Hubbell)

[Steven J. Serenska]

VVers:

> Hubert "Smitty" Smith passed away on September 18, 2025.  Due to his wife, Helen, also being 
> hospitalized at the time, his service was delayed until she was well enough to attend.  

I am sorry to hear this news.  Bill H., thank you for letting us know.

Below is one one of my favorite posts of Smitty's.  I am re-posting it 
in fond memory of him.

By way of background, there was a thread going on VV in November, 2011 
with a topic along the lines of "The stupidest thing I did when i was 
young".  Below was Smitty's contribution.  I just got a good laugh all 
over again while re-reading it.
/
/
/Smitty Says; This "young and stupid" thread almost demands my input.  A 
couple of years ago (when I was 14 with a brand new license) I bought a 
29 Chrysler Imperial as an investment.  Paid 75 bucks for it.  Called my 
uncle who was an antique car collector and after some negotiation he 
agreed to buy it for 300 if I would deliver it.  I got a ten ft section 
of water pipe and a chain.  Ran the chain through the pipe and wrapped 
the ends around the bumper of the Chrysler and the back bumper of my 
newly purchased 31 chevy coupe.  Bolted them up good and tight with as 
little slack as possible.  I don't know what either car weighed, but I 
would bet on 4,000 for the Chrysler and I don't think the Chevy would 
hurt your toes if you ran over them.  In addition to that the Chevy had 
mechanical brakes and the Chrysler had none.  I enlisted the aid of my 
younger brother to steer the Chrysler and keep it in line behind the 
Chevy.  He was 10 at the time.  He had no license but I didn't think 
that would matter since he wouldn't really be driving.  So we go 
motoring across town, stopping two blocks before we came to 
intersections and praying on the downhills. Every time I looked in the 
mirror he was in there sawing away at the wheel like he was trying to 
wear it out.  I stopped once to see how he was doing and he said he 
wanted to quit, so I didn't stop anymore for fear he would.  He really 
didn't look good all bathed in sweat.  The trip was 25 miles or so and 
we survived with no lasting damage except my brother wouldn't talk to me 
for weeks after.  Cry Baby./

R.I.P., Smitty.  You were one of a kind.

Steven J. Serenska
Bristol, Rhode Island