Peter Smist

Peter Smist, 83, of Rhode Island, passed away on March 11, 2026.

Born on September 12, 1942, in Providence, Rhode Island, Peter was the only child of Stella (Baranowski) Smist and Thaddeaus Smist. He graduated from Mount Pleasant High School in Providence before enlisting in the United States Navy in June 1960, serving as an E5 Electronic Technician until his discharge in August 1964. He continued his commitment to service with two additional years in the Naval Reserve.

Peter dedicated 39 years to federal service, beginning at the Naval Underwater Systems Center in Newport, Rhode Island, where he worked for ten years as a Senior Underwater Ship Technician. He later joined Raytheon in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, as a Quality Assurance Specialist, remaining there until his retirement in October 2002. Outside of work, he cultivated a lifelong passion for music of all genres, devoting countless hours to collecting and preserving recordings across every format—reel-to-reel tapes, vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, VHS tapes, and DVDs. He also found joy in tinkering with electronics, always eager to understand how things worked and to keep them in good repair.

He is survived by his daughter, Heather Martins of Swansea, Massachusetts, and her husband, Richard Martins; his three grandchildren, Michael, Joshua, and Christopher; and two great-grandchildren. Peter will be remembered for his steadfast dedication, his love of music, and the quiet moments he shared with those who knew and loved him.