Calvin Henry Smith Jr., age 73, of Springfield, MA, entered into the sunset of life on Tuesday, March 24, 2026.  He was born January 5, 1953, in Palatka, FL to Calvin H. Smith, Sr., and Jannett O. Smith.  Calvin attended the Putnam County School System, and in 1969 he and his Central Academy High School classmates made history by being some of the first students to be integrated with the student body of Palatka South High School.  Despite daily challenges presented during these tense times, Calvin graduated as part of the Class of 1971 through determination and resilience. He was a truly accomplished football player and was voted one of the friendliest in his class.

After graduation, Calvin worked at Hudson Pulp and Paper Mill Corporation, Palatka, FL until he relocated to Hartford Connecticut.  He worked several jobs to take care of his growing family and became popular during his role as manager for The Male Image Clothing Store in downtown, Hartford.  Calvin eventually relocated to Springfield, MA, where he started his career in Criminal Justice System. He accepted a position at the State of Connecticut Department of Corrections, where he worked for 28 years and retired with the rank of Corporal.

Calvin, affectionately known as "Dump", loved spending quality time with his family and was well known for his excellent cooking skills. He developed a patent for his own BBQ sauce, (Calvin's Q's), which he sold briefly until customer demand became extreme.  Calvin loved watching sports and you could frequently catch him watching episodes of Bonanza on his portable television.  He was a dog lover and had the unique ability to train his dogs, (Panther, Lucas, Mahogany, and Isis) to obey his distinct commands from blocks away. His hobbies included gardening, traveling, reading and studying God's Word. He leaves a legacy of love, joy, and hope, rooted deeply in every heart he touched.  Calvin became a member of Calvary Baptist Church at an early age and reaffirmed his relationship with Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, decades before his passing.

In addition to his parents, grand-parents, great-grandparents, father-in-laws, and mother-in-Law, Calvin was preceded in eternal rest by his brother Lawrence "Gacy" Holland his brother-in law, James "Lightning" Mitchell Jr. Aunts, Uncles and Cousins.

Cherished memories of Calvin remain with his devoted wife of 26 years, Dora Haro Smith; His children; Retina M. Smith, Windsor, CT, Calvin H. Smith, III, Hartford, CT and their mother, Tomarsha G. Smith of Windsor, CT; Cinnamon C. Smith, of Springfield, MA, and her mother, Jullieth Mardner of Palm Bay, Fl.  His bonus children; Christopher Humber, Julie Mardner, Christopher (Cy) Reyes, Albert (Lily)Reyes, Janette Talamantes, and Dora II Talamantes. His grandchildren; Charles, Chercal, Demond, Calvon, Alijah, Shanai, Cavonna, Lily, Adian, Albert IV, Cali and Alliliana; Eight, great-grandchildren, and his siblings; Cavonna S. Mitchell, Barry G. Smith, Lutrell S. Smith, Sr.(Constance)., and Malcolm L. Smith, Sr.(Mandy), all of Palatka, Fl.  Mother-in-Law, Aurora Haro, San Diego, CA, Sister-in-law, Linda Holland, Miami, FL and other sister-in-Laws, brother-in-Laws; a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins. His Uncle, Matthew Whitfield(Rosalyn), and special friends, Eugene King, Palatka, Fl, Gene Fett, Johnson City, TN, Glen Hall, Springfield, MA and Daniel C. Jones, Fort Lauderdale, FL