Edmund Dewey Smith Jr., 93

Passed away: May 21, 2026

Edmund Dewey Smith Jr., a former art director and award-winning painter whose works were a fixture in local Connecticut galleries, died on May 21, 2026, at New Milford Hospital. A resident of Sherman, he was 93.

Born and raised in East Rockaway, New York, to Edmund and Ethel Smith, Mr. Smith demonstrated early artistic talent, winning the top prize in a Metropolitan Opera set design contest at age 17. He went on to graduate from the New York Institute of Applied Arts and Sciences. During the Korean War, he served two years in the U.S. Army, where he managed specialized photography for sensitive missile testing programs at White Sands, New Mexico.

Returning to civilian life, he worked for many years as an art director for Reader's Digest in New York City before establishing his own advertising and marketing firm, Smith Associates. After relocating from the city, Mr. Smith dedicated himself to painting from his home studio in Sherman. His canvases were exhibited widely throughout the region, including at the Sherman Library, the local Jewish Community Center, and White Silo. His artistic accolades included first-place honors at the Kent Art Association's President's Show and recognition as a top-200 winner in an international competition celebrating America's parks.

Beyond the visual arts, Mr. Smith and his wife of 54 years, Anita Irene, were deeply involved in local choral music. They were longtime members of the Sherman Church choir and also sang with the Kent Singers, the Wilton Singers, and the Wilton Presbyterian Church Choir.

In addition to his wife, Anita, he is survived by his two daughters, Stephanie Ann Smith and Jennifer Carol Sidie; his two sons, Anthony Edmund Smith and William Avery Smith; five grandchildren, Alex, Julian, Evan, Kyle, and Theodora; and one great-grandson, Asher. He was predeceased by his parents and his sister, Marjorie Smith.

Arrangements were handled by Kenny Funeral Home in Sharon. While no public memorial dates have been announced, a digital archive of Mr. Smith's artwork is maintained for the public at edsmithartist.com.