Former Springs Fire Chief Dies at 51

Timothy Allen Smith died on Nov. 30. He was 51.

His brother James E. Smith Jr. said the cause of death was related to his heart.

Known as "Chick" to his friends, Smith was a volunteer with the Springs Fire Department for more than 25 years, and served as a second assistant fire chief from 1999 to 2000. He rose through the ranks, serving as a lieutenant and an assistant captain, according to current Springs Fire Chief John Claflin. He was still an active member. 

"He loved the Springs Fire Department," his family said in an obituary they prepared. 

Smith was born in Southampton on Dec. 18, 1960 to James E. Smith Sr. and the former Elizabeth Keating. His family said he was "a born and bred 'Bonacker'."

He worked as a carpenter and lived in East Hampton. He loved boating, fishing, clamming and Nascar racing. "He was always there with a helping hand for anyone who needed it," his family said.

In addition to his brother, who lives in East Hampton, Smith is also survived by another brother, A.J. Keating, of Bowling Green, Kentucky, as well as two nephews, Bryan Smith, of Winter Beach, FL, and Nicholas Smith, of East Hampton.

Funeral services will be held at Yardley & Pino Funeral Home in East Hampton on Friday from 4 to 7 p.m., with a reception to follow at the Springs Fire Department.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.

His family asked that donations be made in his memory to the Springs Fire Department's basement committee, of which Smith was a member, at 179 Fort Pond Boulevard, East Hampton, NY 11937.

Please join Patch in offering condolences to Timothy Smith's family and friends, as well as his fellow volunteers at the Springs Fire Department. Please leave a comment below.