Memorial trees planted for:

James J. Smola

On April 6, 2020, our family lost a beautiful, artistic and gentle soul, James J. (Butch) Smola. It is now time to honor this amazing man with family and friends beside us. Please join us as we celebrate his life with a visitation on Friday, June 4, 2021, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Newington Memorial Funeral Home, 20 Bonair Ave., Newington. A memorial Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, June 5, 2021 at 10:00 a.m., at St. Mary’s Church, 626 Willard Ave., Newington. Burial will be private. A Celebration of Life Art Exhibit will be held for all in the future. Details will be shared as available. **************************************************************************************************** On April 6, 2020, our family lost a beautiful, artistic and gentle soul, James J. (Butch) Smola, 70, beloved husband and best friend of Susan Roccapriore Smola for 39 yrs., passed away unexpectedly after a long and valiant fight against depression. Jim was born June 11, 1949 in Hartford, CT, the son of the late John and Aniela (Olszewski) Smola. Growing up in Hartford and later attending Paier School of Art in Hamden, Jim was a city boy at heart. He was an avid and top tier marathon runner for his age group, competing in events around the world. But the greatest thrill of his life was to run the race of his dreams in his favorite city, the 2011 NYC Marathon. Whether on the track or at the annual Manchester Road Race, New Haven Labor Day 20k, or APK Charities 5k, he couldn’t be more at peace while out on a run. Jim had a passion for jazz music and he and Sue regularly attended Hartford, Newport and Montreal Jazz festivals, all the time, exploring smaller jazz venues across the country. He was a diehard Red Sox fan, an awesome chef, played a mean harmonica, told a good joke, was a quiet, kind man with a warm smile that could light up the room. He loved adventure, traveling around the world, and was a truly gifted, professional and nationally published Illustrator and award winning Pastel Artist. His career in art took him to Wilson, Haight & Welch Advertising Agency, Aetna Life & Casualty, O’Neal & Prelle Advertising Agency and Coleco Industries before venturing out as Principal, Jim Smola Illustration for many years. In retirement, he recently taught a workshop in Perspective Drawing for the Wethersfield Art Academy and was volunteering his skills thru art therapy at the Hospital for Special Care in New Britain. In addition to his cherished wife, he leaves his daughter, Melissa Smola of Cromwell and his three sons and daughters-in-law who he loved dearly: Peter Smola and Lisa Bryant of Newington; Jason and Michelle (Costa) Smola of Berlin and Zachary and Megan (Papp) Smola of Berlin. He also leaves his beautiful granddaughters, Jazmin, Taylor and Hanna Smola and Goddaughter, Monica Roccapriore. In addition, he leaves his loving sister, Patricia Starace and brother-in-law, Michael; his brother Dennis Smola, all of Newington, his niece Kim (Deep) McNamara, her husband Jim and son Jackson, his nephew Craig Deep and his daughter, Shelby, all of Simsbury. He also leaves his extended Roccapriore Family, who loved him dearly: “Mom and Dad (his hero),” Gladys (Bobbi) and Richard, Meriden; brothers and sisters-in-law: Roy and Christine, New Britain; Dion and Assunta, Meriden; David and Lynn, Berlin; Lisa and Tim Groves (SC), Ric and Jeanne (CA) as well as several nieces and nephews who were all very dear to him. He was predeceased by his sister and brother-in-law, Susan and Donald Deep and his cherished Ciocia, Monica Olszewski. In light of the COVID-19 crisis, funeral services will be conducted in the future. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Jim’s name may be made to: Religious Teachers Filippini Mission Fund, 455 Western Ave., Morristown, NJ 07960. Duksa Family Funeral Home at Newington Memorial, 20 Bonair Ave., Newington, is assisting Jim’s Family.

June 11, 1949 - April 6, 2020

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James J. Smola

24 Trees have been planted in memory of James Smola.

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Memorial Trees

Patrick Colacicco

June 04, 2021

The planting of 1 memorial tree in the honor of James J. Smola has been arranged by Patrick Colacicco. Planted in Central and South Zone Reforestation ID. Plant a tree

Jeremy and Cassie Levesque

June 04, 2021

The planting of 1 memorial tree in the honor of James J. Smola has been arranged by Jeremy and Cassie Levesque. Planted in Central and South Zone Reforestation ID. Plant a tree

Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Paul Baylock, President

May 13, 2020

The planting of 3 memorial trees in the honor of James J. Smola has been arranged by Paul Baylock, President. Planted in Kirtland Habitat Restoration MI. Plant a tree

Patti and Keith Mischke

April 21, 2020

The planting of 2 memorial trees in the honor of James J. Smola has been arranged by Patti and Keith Mischke. Planted in Kirtland Habitat Restoration MI. Plant a tree

Barbara and Lance

April 20, 2020

The planting of 1 memorial tree in the honor of James J. Smola has been arranged by Barbara and Lance. Planted in Kirtland Habitat Restoration MI. Plant a tree

Dawn and John

April 18, 2020

The planting of 1 memorial tree in the honor of James J. Smola has been arranged by Dawn and John. Planted in Kirtland Habitat Restoration MI. Plant a tree

Helene & Patrick O'Neill & Family

April 18, 2020

The planting of 1 memorial tree in the honor of James J. Smola has been arranged by Helene & Patrick O'Neill & Family. Planted in Kirtland Habitat Restoration MI. Plant a tree

The Mariani Family

April 17, 2020

The planting of 1 memorial tree in the honor of James J. Smola has been arranged by The Mariani Family. Planted in Kirtland Habitat Restoration MI. Plant a tree

Kim, Jim & Jackson McNamara

April 16, 2020

The planting of 1 memorial tree in the honor of James J. Smola has been arranged by Kim, Jim & Jackson McNamara. Planted in Kirtland Habitat Restoration MI. Plant a tree

Bill and Susan Scarrozzo

April 16, 2020

The planting of 1 memorial tree in the honor of James J. Smola has been arranged by Bill and Susan Scarrozzo. Planted in Kirtland Habitat Restoration MI. Plant a tree

Alex Mischke & Nicole Cornish

April 16, 2020

The planting of 1 memorial tree in the honor of James J. Smola has been arranged by Alex Mischke & Nicole Cornish. Planted in Kirtland Habitat Restoration MI. Plant a tree

Carolyn and Mike McNamara

April 16, 2020

The planting of 1 memorial tree in the honor of James J. Smola has been arranged by Carolyn and Mike McNamara. Planted in Kirtland Habitat Restoration MI. Plant a tree

Robert Chmiel & Rachel MacLellan

April 16, 2020

The planting of 1 memorial tree in the honor of James J. Smola has been arranged by Robert Chmiel & Rachel MacLellan. Planted in Kirtland Habitat Restoration MI. Plant a tree

“Zak & Megan Smola”

April 16, 2020

The planting of 1 memorial tree in the honor of James J. Smola has been arranged by “Zak & Megan Smola”. Planted in Kirtland Habitat Restoration MI. Plant a tree

Peggy Pitz

April 16, 2020

The planting of 1 memorial tree in the honor of James J. Smola has been arranged by Peggy Pitz. Planted in Kirtland Habitat Restoration MI. Plant a tree

Jennifer and Vincent Micacci

April 16, 2020

The planting of 1 memorial tree in the honor of James J. Smola has been arranged by Jennifer and Vincent Micacci. Planted in Kirtland Habitat Restoration MI. Plant a tree

Andrew & Krystal

April 16, 2020

The planting of 1 memorial tree in the honor of James J. Smola has been arranged by Andrew & Krystal. Planted in Kirtland Habitat Restoration MI. Plant a tree

Emily Birdsall

April 15, 2020

The planting of 1 memorial tree in the honor of James J. Smola has been arranged by Emily Birdsall. Planted in Kirtland Habitat Restoration MI. Plant a tree

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