HANSON, Mass. -- Elton B. Smith, 90, of 511 Maquan St., died Monday, April 14, 2008, at his daughter's home in Keene, after a period of failing health.

He was born March 3, 1918, in Brooklyn, N.Y., the son of Milton and Elsa (Goldschmidt) Smith. He was raised in New York, and resided in New Hampshire before moving to Hanson in 1961.

Mr. Smith's career was in secondary education as a teacher and administrator. He was vice principal of Winnacunet High School in Hampton, principal of Whitman-Hanson High School and principal of Duxbury High School. He then joined the Massachusetts Department of Education where he worked in the School Building Assistance Program, retiring in 1985.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Harriet (Hilton) Smith; two daughters and their husbands, Roxanne and Karl Karter of Keene and Kathleen and Mickey Hockenberry of Halifax, Mass., and three grandsons, Elias Karter of Keene, Joshua Hockenberry of Quincy, Mass., and Nathaniel Hockenberry of Halifax.

WE REMEMBER: He was a U.S. Navy veteran, stationed in the South Pacific during World War II on the island of Guam and retired from the Naval Reserves after 20 years. He received his bachelor of arts degree in economics from the University of New Hampshire and his master's degree in education from Boston University. He spent many years as a member of the Hanson Conservation Board. He was honored for his work by the naming of the conversation land on Elm Street, Smith-Nawazelski.

He was a 60-year member of the Maj. Gen. John Sullivan Masonic Lodge in Epping and the Wampatuck Masonic Lodge in East Bridgewater, Mass. Mr. Smith was an active member of the Hanson Congregational Church since 1962, serving as moderator of the congregation for 22 years. The Smiths were married at her family home in Newmarket Nov. 26, 1942. They lived in California, Brentwood, Hampton and Hanson, Mass.

SERVICES: There are no calling hours. A memorial service will be held at a later date in Newmarket Community Church and graveside at the family cemetery in Newmarket.

Memorial donations may be made to the charity of one's choice.