James Chauncey Smith

James Chauncey Smith, Jr. age 96 passed away on Saturday, July 25, 2026 at the Maples Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Wrentham. Born in Walpole, on November 20th, 1929, Chauncey was the son of James Chauncey and Mary (Welch) Smith.

Raised in Walpole, Chauncey graduated from Walpole High School with the Class of 1947, where he was a member of their first championship baseball team his senior year. He later attended Boston College, graduating in 1951, before enlisting in the Air Force. He and his new wife, Dorothy, made the long drive to Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho, before settling in Walpole to begin their lives together. With Dorothy’s support, Chauncey enrolled at Boston State Teachers College, where he earned his Master’s Degree.

With his new teaching degree in hand, he began his career in junior high education at the Walpole Junior/Senior High School where he served first as a science teacher, before moving to the East Junior High School as guidance counselor, and finally, assistant principal. In addition to these diverse roles, he also returned to Walpole High School baseball and football, where he served as a coach, pivoting to hockey in the winter season. When West Junior High School opened in 1966, he became its first principal. Eight years later, in 1974, he would become the Assistant Superintendent of Walpole Schools until his retirement in 1988. He and Dorothy would relocate to Norton briefly before settling in Plainville in 2006.

But his coaching duties did not stop there. He taught his daughters how to play softball specifically honing their pitching skills. When it became time for his granddaughters to take to the plate, he served as their coach as well. Chauncey’s contributions to the local softball community led to the Bird Middle School field being dedicated in his name in 2010. One of his greatest joys was encouraging his children and grandchildren in whatever sport was in season.

Aside from being a lifelong coach, Chauncey loved to travel. With a fifth wheel trailer in tow, Chauncey visited 46 of the continental US states in his lifetime. When home in Massachusetts, he could often be found with Dorothy dancing at the King Phillip in Wrentham.

Beloved husband of the late Dorothy (Ross) Smith.

Loving father of Jeffrey Smith and his wife Ann of East Sandwich, Maureen Hickey and her husband William of Ipswich, James Smith and his wife Claudia of Georgetown, Robert Smith and his wife Debra of Falmouth, Lisa Roberts of Foxboro, and Tracey Bradley and her husband Craig of Wrentham.

Cherished grandfather and great grandfather of seventeen grandchildren and seventeen great grandchildren.

Brother of Marjorie Upton of East Walpole, Mary Foley of Norwood, the late William Smith and Richard Smith.

Also survived by many loving nieces, nephews, extended relatives, and friends.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend Chauncey’s visitation on Thursday, July 30th, 2026 from 4:00 pm-7:00 pm in the James H. Delaney & Son Funeral Home, 48 Common Street, Walpole.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, July 31st, 2026 at 10:00 am in Blessed Sacrament Church at 10 Diamond Street in Walpole. Interment will follow at Knollwood Memorial Park in Canton.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Chauncey’s name can be made to the J. Chauncey Smith Scholarship, c/o Walpole Scholarship Foundation, P.O. Box 58, East Walpole, MA 02032, www.walpolescholarshipfoundation.org