Thomas J. Smaha

October 3, 1943 ~ January 7, 2021
Resided in:
Scarborough, ME
Scarborough - Thomas John Smaha passed away on January 7, 2021 from natural causes at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston. He passed peacefully surrounded by his loving family. Tom's warmth, kindness, concern for others and humor were shining to the very end. He lived his life to the fullest.
Tom was born in Portland, Maine, on October 3, 1943, the son of John and Agnes (Lahood) Smaha. He spent the first years of his life growing up in Portland, Maine. Tom graduated from Deering High School and attended North Yarmouth Academy. He went on to college at the University of Southern Maine in Portland and graduated from the University of Maine, Orono in 1966, where he was a member of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity, with a BS degree in Business. It was at UMO where he met his wife of 54 years, Mary Kathleen Doe.
After graduation, Tom spent one year employed at Stop and Shop in Boston, Massachusetts before returning to Maine and going to work for his father in the family grocery business, Legion Square Supermarket. He took over the business in 1969 which he successfully operated until his retirement in 2012.
Tom was a kind and loving husband, father and grandfather as well as a fine and decent man. Over the years to the present, he spent hours doing what he loved most - interacting with family, employees, customers, and friends. His time and efforts were spent on others. He was the President of the Maine State Grocers Association for six years, a member of the Waterfront Marketplace Association in South Portland, and served on several committees, both civic and educational, in South Portland and Scarborough. His love of community and reaching out to others was admired by all.
Throughout his lifetime, Tom enjoyed his hobbies which included spending time with his children and grandchildren, traveling, and cruising the coast on his boat with his wife, family members, and friends. He loved all sports, especially the Patriots, Bruins and Red Sox.
Besides his wife, Mary, he is survived by four children - Jennifer Lynn Golden and her husband Paul of Hebron, Connecticut; Cynthia Mary Abbe and her husband Curtis of Westbrook, Maine; Catherine Ann Murray and her husband Matthew of Scarborough, Maine; and Andrew Thomas Smaha and his wife Danielle of Yarmouth, Maine. He is also survived by seven grandchildren - Emily and Ryan Murray, Danielle Golden, Cameron Abbe, and Samantha, William, and Avery Smaha, as well as three nieces, two nephews, and his sister, Jacqueline S. Callan and husband Robert of Dover, New Hampshire, and brother, Kenneth and wife Roberta of Falmouth, Maine.
Tom will be lovingly remembered and missed by his family. To protect the safety of all, a small private family service will take place on Thursday, January 14, 2021 at 11am. To view the live stream of the service, go to: www.Facebook.com/conroytullywalker Arrangements are under the direction of the Conroy-Tully Walker Funeral Home, 1024 Broadway, South Portland. ME.
To view Tom's memorial page, or to share an online condolence, please visit www.ConroyTullyWalker.com
To honor Tom's memory, please consider a donation to The New England Cancer Specialists, 100 Campus Drive, Suite 108, Scarborough, ME 04074 and/or Fresenius Kidney Care Freedom Center, 1600 Congress Street, Suite C, Portland, ME 04102.
Dear Mary – We were so sad to read of your husband’s death. What an amazing man he must have been! We are sending you loving thoughts and wishing you peace after your grief. Ayn, Scott, Jeremy and Ryan Allmendinger
– Ayn Allmendinger
With love and hugs,
– Kathy and Bob Goode
Tom was my first boss. I worked for him for 4 years through high school and beyond. 40 plus years later, I’m still in the grocery business. Tom taught me more than any manager I’ve worked for over the years. Always treated me and others with dignity and respect. I had always hoped when he retired to take over the market. Guess it just wasn’t meant to be. RIP Tom.
– Denny Conley
With loving memories of “Thomas Smaha”,
– Terri and Jim Henderson
I have known and have respected Tom for over 40+ years, as a vendor with Progressive Foods in ’70-80’s and later as his Hannaford representative in the ’90’s to 2009. Tom was the epitome of entrepreneurship. No one knew his customer base better than Tom. He developed one of the first “cost-plus pricing” to compete with the larger supermarkets. The Legion Square Market meat dept. was the envy of every meat retailer north of Boston. One of Tom’s greatest accomplishments was his personalized delivery service to the Portland-based fishing fleets. I am very proud to have known Tom, both as a friend and business associate for those 40+ years. With my deepest sympathies on your families’ loss… Jim McLean, Jr., Retired Hannaford Bros. ~ 1966-2009
– Jim McLean, Jr.
So very sorry! I worked for Tom when I was 16! I am now 68…he has never been forgotten by me! I learned much from this great man!
– peggylane278@gmail.com
We were so sorry to hear about Tom’s passing. He was great to our kids giving them jobs through high school. Guy always enjoyed time with him at the high school hockey games. He was a great guy. Prayers and condolences. Guy and Peggie Delparte
– Peggie Delparte
I used to shop at Smaha square market. I was sad to hear that Thomas Smaha died. So sorry for the family. Kristen Tully
– Kristen Tully
Sending our deepest sympathy. Enjoyed conversations with Tom and cheering on our sons while they played hockey together. So sorry for your loss!
– Dick and Libby Greenleaf
To Mary & Family: So hard read of Tom’s passing in this mornings paper. Maureen and I wish we could find the words that would be of comfort to all of you. I have nothing but great memories of Tom and the time I spent with him at the store. A first class employer to all who worked for him. He always told Maureen that it was his pleasure to get Dana out of the house. He will always be remembered in our thoughts and hearts. God Bless you Tom. Dana & Maureen Michaud.
– Dana Michaud
Tom was a true gentleman and family man. Everyone at Breakwater Marina thought the world of Tom and his family which they where part of for many years. I missed Tom and his family back when he first sold his boat, but I did have enjoyment when he would swing by the Marina to say hi once in a while. He will be missed. Rest in peace Tom.
– Jeff Ohman (Breakwater Marina Family)
Jackie, so sorry to learn of your brother Tom’s passing. Please accept our sincere condolences for you and your family. Your fellow DHS classmates, Class of 1958. Beverlee (Rounds) Beers Richardson (was widowed in 2009) Carroll T. Richardson
– Beverlee Beers Richardson
So sorry for the family. That Thomas Smaha died. I used to shop at the market. Kristen Tully
– Kristen Tully
May God rest your soul Tom! I remember the time long ago growing up in Knightville… We were just kids from a poor neighborhood…They would plow the snow so high out behind the store we could walk on top of the snow pile. We could get on top of the roof and a few of us would be pound on that skylight near the meat market part of the store…Tom would come and look up, he wasn’t happy!!! We would run like hell!! Everyone loved Tom!! He was a man of great character, I never heard him swear!! I knew Tom well since I used to run up there to Legion Square at 5 years old to get Kent cigarettes and juicy fruit gum for my grandmother! My thoughts and prayers to you all Susie Conley
– Susie Conley
I am very sorry to learn of the passing of Tom. As a former “Minuteman Drive” neighbor we have missed the “wave” from him as he drove down and away from his driveway. My thoughts and prayers go to each and every one of his family members. Nancy Curran
– Nancy Curran
To the Smash family I was so sorry to hear of Thomas Yamaha passing. I am sad to hear of the legion square market to close. Sorry for his passing. Take care.from. kristebtully