ASHLAND - Malcolm D. "Bunky" Smith, Jr., 85, passed away peacefully at his home on Wednesday, November 25, 2020. He was born "on a rainy night on the kitchen floor" in Westfield, Maine, on August 31, 1935, the son of Malcolm D. and Lila B. (Sylvester) Smith. Bunky graduated from Presque Isle High School in 1953 and attended the University of Maine at Orono, where he was a proud member of the Phi Eta Kappa fraternity. He had to put his studies on hold when his father became ill and Bunky came home to help care for him. After his father passed away, Bunky stayed in Presque Isle to take care of his mother and his sister. In 1961, Bunky went to work at Potato Services, Inc. for his close friend, T.B. "Bill" Angelos. Bunky also became the assistant farm manager at Sal-Mor Ranch, which at that time was the largest cattle-raising operation in the Northeast. Eventually, Bunky returned to the University of Maine, completing his Bachelor's degree in Animal Husbandry in 1971. Later in life, Bunky became a truck driver. After many years of long haul trucking, Bunky bought his own dump truck, which he drove and worked until he reached the age of 82.

A hard worker his entire life, Bunky rarely had time for hobbies, but there was one passion that he was able to pursue at different times in his life, harness racing. Bunky was involved in harness racing early in his adult life, even taking his wife Natalie to Yonkers Raceway on their honeymoon. After a long hiatus, Bunky was able to rekindle his love of horse ownership and racing with his daughter for several years in the late 90's. Bunky was never happier than when he was caring for the horses he owned and watching them train and race. Bunky was a true gentleman and friend, and well-liked by all who knew him. Over the years, his family and friends enjoyed listening to him recount many of his "adventures". Two favorites were when he and Bill Angelos regularly rode horses into the lobby of the Plymouth Hotel; the other was when he and some fraternity brothers released all the cattle from the University farm onto the campus, creating quite a stir.

Bunky is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Natalie (Bartlett) Smith of Ashland; two children, his daughter, Katie DiFrederico and husband, Louis of Millinocket; his son, Ted Smith, and wife, Pamela of Pittsfield; his three grandchildren, Jack DiFrederico, Olivia Smith and Sophia Smith; and one sister, Rachel Abrams, of Paolo, Kansas. Bunky will also be dearly missed by two special nieces, Lynn Kenney and Judy Currier, and his "adopted" son, and best friend, Kevin Charette, as well as many other beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins. Spring interment will be at the Ashland Cemetery, time to be announced at a later date.