gentleman, patriot, athlete & family man
Winthrop A. “Pink” Smith was born in Milford CT to the late George J. and Ellen Rhoena Clark Smith. He was direct descendant of the founding families of Milford in 1639. He was a graduate of Milford High School, Milford Preparatory School, Yale University, and McAllister School of Embalming.
Mr. Smith was member of ROTC while at Yale. In his junior year he was commissioned as a 2nd. Lt. in the Ct. National Guard. Upon graduation from Yale he was commissioned as a 2nd Lt. in the U.S. Army. Mr. Smith served in the U.S. Army during World War II attaining the rank of major. He received Bronze Star and took part in the Battle of the Bulge.
Pink lettered 3 times in Lacross while in Yale being elected captain in his senior year. He played for the USA All American team vs. Canada team in 1931. Pink was elected to the Lacross Hall of Fame in 1969 and served as varsity Lacross coach for Yale 1932 to 1935 and again from 1946 to 1948. Mr. Smith was a life member of American Legion Post #34, where he served as Past Commander and Manager of the Junior Legion baseball team. He was also a life member of Devon Post V.F.W. #7788.
Mr. Smith was an active member for the American Red Cross since 1950 where he was Captain of the Red Cross Fund Drive, Past Chapter Chairman and Director, Chairman of Blood Program, Chairman of Emergency Blood Call Drivers, Chairman of Service to Military Families of Milford, Vice Chairman and Chairman to Military Families of the State of Connecticut, Red Cross Consultant on Fund Raising life time member of Board of Directors of Milford Chapter where he received the Sterling Volunteer Award.
Boy Scouts were a big part of Pink’s and his families’ life. In 1925 Pink, a member of Troop 1, became the first Eagle Scout of Milford and the Quinnipiac Council. Pink continued his love for scouting by serving as a member of the Board of Directors and Vice President of the Quinnipiac Council, Chairman of the Old Settlers camping area, Camp Sequassen Building Fund Committee, member of Quinnipiac executive committee, recipient of the Silver Beaver award and receiving the Good Scout Award in 1997.
Other organizations and activities that Mr. Smith was able to enjoy over the years in the Milford area are: a member of the 1st. United Church of Christ, Congregational, Past Director and Sec. of the Milford Cemetery, Past Master of Ansantawae Lodge #89 A.F.A.M., Past Organizer of Blood Donor Service, captain of the Milford Badminton Club (won State Championship in 1951-1952), member of United Nations Day Committee, Past Master of Ceremonies and Chairman of “Man of the Year” in 1952, member , past Director and past President of Milford Rotary, past Grand Marshall of the Memorial Day Parade, past organizer and President of Milford United Fund, Member of the Plymouth Men’s Club, former Chairman of the Memorial Field Committee, past organizer of Milford Halloween parade, party and dance, member of Adam Sattig Council #35, R.S.M., member of Wepawaug Shrine Club, Milford Chapter of #49 RAM, member of Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, member of Milford Elks Lodge #1589, member of the Sons of the American Revolution, past secretary of Milford Veterans Graves Preservation Commission.
Pink was honored with a testimonial in appreciation of his “Unselfish Dedication and Service to the Community” in 1978 and received the 1979 “Man of the Year” Award in 1979 from the Milford Chamber of Commerce. Winthrop A. “Pink” Smith died on October 23, 2000 at the age of 92.
