Master and Commander
Posts: 1320
Location: NE Florida | Subject: Friday Obits
https://www.facebook.com/ussvi.eternalpatrol/
The above link goes to the USSVI (United States Submarine Veterans, Inc.) Facebook page where their members who have gone on “Eternal Patrol” are noted.
I’ll keep my work here going, trying to get others who were not USSVI members. You’re encouraged to look there as well as here! Obviously, there’ll be some I miss and some I duplicate.
SMITH .. .. .. Thomas S. Smith age 85 died peacefully at his home in Clinton on June 9, 2025. Born on August 11, 1939, in Saratoga Spring, NY was a resident of Victory Mills, NY during his childhood. He served in the Navy as an electrician on a submarine. He relocated to Tennessee where he met his beloved wife of 38 years Christine B. Smith, together they owned Mister Fixit Company in Knoxville for over 20 years. He is preceded in death by his wife Christine B. Smith, mother Winifred V Smith, father Stephen J Smith. He is survived by daughter Amy Jones (William) of Briceville, granddaughter Sammantha Ashley, great-grandchildren Wyatt and Paisleigh who knew him as Opa and brother Tim Smith of Plano, TX. In Lieu of flowers the family asks that you make donations in Thomas S. Smith's name to Young-Williams Animal Center or your local animal shelters.
IRVIN .. .. .. Today, William “Bill” Irvin, passed quietly away at his home in Ft. Collins. Affectionately known as “Hoppy” when he worked at the Howes Street Post Office, Bill was a fixture at the front windows from 1966 through his retirement in 1985. Bill and, his wife of 62 years, Camille, were strong advocates for the Larimer County Foster Care program. During their 19-year tenure with the organization, they served as foster parents for 42 children. This was in addition to the multitude of foreign exchange students, unwed mothers, and private placements they sponsored over the years. Their home was always open to those who, as Camille said, “Only need someone to provide them with a little love and attention.” Before they moved to Ft. Collins in 1963, Bill spent over 20 years in the US Navy as a cook in the submarine service, where he earned the nickname, “Ma”. His experiences during World War II were recently captured in a video produced by the Northern Colorado Veteran’s History Project. Copies of the video are available for viewing at local libraries as well as the Library of Congress. Always active, Bill was a member in the Navy Fleet Reserve, the Veteran’s of Foreign Wars (VFW), Submarine Veteran’s of WWII, the Knights of Columbus, and the Slightly Older Adult Players (SOAP) Troupe, an acting company where he played a variety of rolls both on, and behind, the stage. Bill is survived by his wife, Camille; his four adopted sons, Leon, Michael, Martin and Tony; 9 grandchildren, and 4 great-grandchildren.
PERKINS .. .. .. Captain Robert S. Perkins, Jr. USN (Ret), December 13, 1934 - March 29, 2025.
Loving husband and father, decorated submarine commander, devoted church member, avid gardener and woodworker.
OLSON .. .. .. Dennis R. Olson, of Tucson, AZ, passed away on September 15, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. He was 73. He was an intelligent, funny, and talented individual with a lifelong passion for learning and connecting with people.
Dennis served in the U.S. Navy Submarine Force on the USS Guitarro, SSN665. He was also a proud member of the USSVI Tucson Base and the USS Tucson 770 Foundation.
He graduated from Wenatchee High School in Washington and earned his M.A. in Educational Technology at NAU. Dennis thoroughly enjoyed working with and empowering students at Pima Community College.
A photography enthusiast, he spent many hours photographing and cataloging the Sonoran Desert flora and fauna, as well as hiking with his beloved English Setters. Dedicated to fitness, Dennis had lifelong gym and racquetball friends of all ages and walks of life that he proudly acquired over the last 45 years. In his retirement, he renewed his enduring interest in geology. Dennis never saw a rock, Globe Mallow, butterfly, or a sunrise that he didn't love, nor a group of people he didn't want to connect and share his interests with.
He was loved by many, and his presence will forever be deeply missed. He leaves behind his bereft wife Shannon McBride Olson, daughters Kathryn (Kyle) and Emily (Carlos), three grandchildren, four siblings, and extended family.
FAELLA .. .. .. SOUTH KINGSTOWN, RI- Antonio W. Faella, 103, died peacefully in his home on Thursday, October 23, 2025. Born in Providence, RI to Gaetano and Pasqualina (Mastrostefano) Faella, Tony's family soon moved to South Kingstown, RI and he attended school until the age of 16. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, Tony enlisted in the Navy and served in the Pacific on a submarine, the USS Spearfish SS190. Tony returned to South Kingstown High School after the war and had the good fortune to meet Betty Kinney. After graduating from the University of Rhode Island, the two were married on Thanksgiving Day in 1951. Tony started his teaching career in Connecticut and Charlestown, RI, but soon became a teacher and principal at the South Kingstown Matunuck Elementary School. The couple had many happy adventures during their 73 years of marriage raising seven children, traveling back and forth across the country visiting friends and national parks in a camper van, and running a summer day camp. After retiring from 34 years of teaching, Tony and Betty assumed responsibility for the family businesses: Larkin's Pond Beach Club, New Fernwood Cemetery, and Kinney Azalea Gardens. They continued to enjoy traveling, attending submarine reunions, and visiting family and friends. Tony is survived by his beloved wife, Betty, their children: Joan (Franklin) Haskell of Hyannis, MA, Steffanie (Norm) Windus of Kingston, RI, Tom (Jane) Faella of Sturgeon Bay, WI, Charlie (Kathy) Faella of Peace Dale, RI, Chris (Martha) Faella of Peace Dale, RI, Merrie Faella of Wakefield, RI, and Helen (Jim) Northup of Estes Park, CO, as well as twelve grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
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Friday Obits
