Obituary of Milton J. Smedberg

CHESHIRE - Milton J. Smedberg, 94, formerly of Preston Terrace, Cheshire, CT died peacefully at Whitney Manor Nursing Home on February 8, 2019. He was loved and cherished by family and friends and deeply beloved by his immediate family: son Paul Smedberg and his wife Carey of Cheshire; and daughter Lisa Sue Smedberg and her husband Kim Bilderback of Falmouth, MA.

Born in Providence on February 20, 1924 and raised in Riverside, RI, he was the son of Aron Paul Smedberg, a Swedish immigrant and his wife Hilda Marie (Erickson) Smedberg. After high school, Milt was drafted into the US Army along with his older brother Paul and spent the next four years serving in Europe during WWII. During this time he attended Glen Miller’s last performance, saw the sky over England darkened by Allied planes on June 6, 1944, marched across the beaches of Normandy, and experienced the grace of God that he believed delivered him safely home.

After his honorable discharge in 1946, Milt returned to Riverside where he helped care for his father who had been stricken with ALS and then opened Milt’s Maplehurst Esso Station which quickly became a local favorite. Milt was known for being a peace-keeper and level-headed with a big heart and quick wit, the guy everyone looked up to. He possessed a moral compass that was unshakeable.

Milt’s passion for mechanics and love of speed translated into racing cars, motorcycles, and boats with his friends not to mention racing down the mountains of New Hampshire and Vermont on skis in the wintertime.

In 1958, Milton married Nancy J. (Brown) Smedberg. At that time Milt began his long career with U-Haul and they moved from RI to Cheshire, CT to raise their two children who became the center of his life. After retiring many years later, Milt went back to work for his friend Kevin Danby to manage his car rental agency in Meriden, CT.

Milt was devoted to his family and uncommonly generous to everyone he met. He will be profoundly missed by all that were blessed to have known him.

In addition to his children, he leaves his beloved grandchildren Matthew J. Smedberg of Cheshire, CT and Nicole M. Smedberg of Bristol, CT;  his cousin and dear friend Pauline Eckardt of Wallingford, CT; his sisters-in-law Joyce Smedberg of Riverside, RI and Candy Howard of Foxfire, NC, and many much loved nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his former wife and friend Nancy Smedberg; his siblings Paul E. Smedberg, Robert J. Smedberg of Riverside, RI, and Eunice M. Alden of Barrington, RI; his sister-in law Eliza Johnson of Hopkinton, MA; and his nephew and Godson Christopher J. Schlosser of Danvers, MA.

Milton will be laid to rest in a family plot in RI during a private family service.

The Alderson-Ford Funeral Home of Cheshire is assisting with arrangements.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are greatly appreciated to Best Buddies Connecticut, 175 Capital Blvd., Suite 402, Rocky Hill, CT 06067.