Fred Sauro
I gave this a lot of thought before sending it. Even though I have been gone from Federalsburg for almost 50 years, Bill Smith remains a person who Connie and I considered a good friend but more importantly one of the kindest , compassionate people that I know.
When Connie and I arrived on the Eastern Shore in December 19 69, we were kids with me being fresh out of college and Connie not even 21 yet. We knew no one coming down there and the people of Federalsburg made us feel so welcome. People like Jim Dyer and Miriam Dyer and Merrill and Alice Morgan and Bill and Barbara Smith.
Bill and Barbara made us feel welcome , invited us to their home on so many occasions. I still have pleasant memories of dinners there and parties and guys over to watch the Pittsburgh Pirates defeat the Baltimore Orioles and I was a Pirate fan being from about 90 miles away from Pittsburgh. The biggest thing about them was the hospitality and kindness and the willingness to accept people they didn’t know . That was amazing. As we have progressed through our 51 years of marriage we have tried to be engaging with new people who move into our community and pay it forward . We learned that from them. When we traveled to the Eastern shore throughout the last five decades we would stay with them and appreciated their hospitality and all of the reminiscing.
My memories of Bill center a lot around athletics and I can tell you now that he was an outstanding basketball player. He was a big guy but he was mobile and had a high basketball IQ and nobody was better in the post . He was slick . The best compliment I could give him is HE COULD PLAY!! He had a great competitive spirit but had a sportsmanship like attitude and he really enjoyed the game ., Bill also took me bullfrogging and I still tell those stories today. Together we drank more than several beers I can still see those 10 ounce Budweiser‘s Hahaha.
And when we were in dire need , when I was gone working away in New Jersey and Connie was nine months pregnant I was due to come home in a day or so, Her 81-year-old grandmother who was visiting had a cut and a bleed that would not stop. Connie called Bill at midnight and he came down and gave Connie and her mother and her grandmother his car so she could get to Easton Hospital .he also treated her there. My whole family will never forget that as long as we live . that night he was a hero to them.
That is just one of the many things he did to help people. I’m sure everyone could think of many other ways that he helped. He was so kind respectful and his willingness to give up himself was tremendous.
It took me by surprise and I feel so badly for the family that I got to know pretty well when we were there. I know it was best that he passed on considering the circumstances but he will be sorrly missed. Our friendship transcended decades and even though it would be a long time between conversations, I felt close to him .
Bill , I wish you rest in peace and to be reunited with Gray
I will never forget what you did for us.
Fred and Connie Sauro
