Smith, Irving A.

The Villages, FL

Smith, Irving A., 91, passed away on Monday, January 26, 2026, at Cornerstone Hospice in the Villages, FL. He was the beloved husband of the late Eilene Helfand. Born in Worcester, MA, he was a son of the late Eli and Beatrice (Shulman) Smith, he had lived in Florida for two years, previously living in Warwick. Irv was a member of the Navy serving in the Korean War, he spent time on a destroyer sailing from Canada to the Caribbean for the near entirety.

Irv was a sign fabricator and later opened ABC Sign Company with his wife Eilene, after her passing, Irv took a step back from the sign business and moved in with his daughter, Nancy Jackson. He occasionally performed per diem work filing permits and receiving proper authorization until 2023. Outside of sign making, he was an impassioned woodworker. Something he made well was a bench with a planter, he proudly made them for his children who fondly remember that while you couldn’t sit in his chairs, the bench was like him, steadfast and sturdy. Irv and Eilene were passionate fans of the theatre who frequented PPAC and Trinity Rep as often as they could. Irv was a proud Mason for 54 years and a member of the Touro Fraternal Association. They loved to travel the world and dine together. Irv and Eilene were season ticket  holders of the PC Friars for many many years.

Devoted father of Steven Smith, his partner Celia Leady, of Belleview, FL and the late Nancy Jackson. Loving grandfather of Renae Jackson, Bryan and Andrew Smith. Cherished great grandfather of 4.

Shiva will be observed in private. In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to the Amos House Food Distribution Center, 460 Pine St, Providence, RI 02907; Meals on Wheels, 70 Bath St, Providence, RI 02908; or Cornerstone Hospice Foundation, 2445 Lane Park Rd., Tavares, FL 32778.