Mr. Paul S. Smegal

Mr. Paul S. Smegal, 66, of Pittsfield, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on April 11, 2021 due to congestive heart failure and other complications. Born in Pittsfield on September 26, 1954, the son of Joseph Smegal and Alice French, he was a 1972 graduate of Saint Joseph’s High School. Paul was a self-employed contractor, a trade he learned from his father and similarly shared with his sons (and enough for his daughters to DIY). He took great pride in his work and would always point out roofs he put on anytime you were driving around town with him. He truly loved what he did and was thrilled to be able to help his children renovate their own homes. Paul took even more pride in his children’s success, including watching his son Jason grow his own business. You could find Paul attending any fishing derby, near or far, taking his beloved Harley for a long ride, playing the slots at the casino for hours on end, taking his annual trip to Aruba, or spending time with his family (especially his grandchildren) and his friends. He loved hosting gatherings beside his inground pool and watching his guests careen (bellyflop) off the diving board or cascade down the slide. Many fond memories of treasure hunts, playing cards, cribbage with his daughter Sarah, and bonfires (often helped by a splash of gasoline) were made at local campgrounds with his children and lifelong friend Jon Levardi and his family. He was loyal to the friends he made throughout his life and many consider him their brother, including Jonathan “Griff” Griffin. Paul looked forward to his annual fishing trip to Lake Ontario with his daughter Jaclyn and oldest grandson Aiden, fishing the local lakes with his youngest grandsons Wyatt and Wesley, and giving especially unique gifts to his granddaughter Samantha. No visit to his grandchildren was complete without providing them with a new racecar/trinket and pocket full of candy, usually Swedish Fish. Paul loved to be surrounded by those who were important to him. All who knew Paul will recall his outstanding luck, which was often on display at the casino, with scratch tickets, and with life in general. Many will also recall his inability to pass up a tag sale, a good collector’s item or contributing to a friend’s stag. He was the first to support any type of raffle and normally he won, donning him the originator of the “Smegal Luck." He loved attending celebrations, and was the first to offer a helping hand, especially when it came to manning the grill or testing out the desserts. His signature homemade salad dressing was always a hit and he loved frying up some fresh fish he’d recently caught. He was an avid coin collector and if you needed something, he more than likely had an extra one for you in his garage or basement. Paul is survived by his daughter Sarah Smegal, her husband, Jeffrey DaCosta and their daughter, Samantha, of Dedham; his daughter, Jaclyn Alibozek and her son, Aiden, of Pittsfield; and his son, Jason Smegal, his wife, Katie, and their sons, Wyatt and Wesley, of Pittsfield. Paul is also survived by his siblings Joan (Smegal) Johnson of Pittsfield; Patricia (Smegal) and Ronald Bordeau of Pittsfield; Bruce and Brenda Smegal of Stephentown, NY; Cynthia (Smegal) and Patrick Pepper of Lumberton, NJ; Barbara (Smegal) and John VanDyke of Minneapolis, MN; and JoAnne (Smegal) and Rob Christman of Falmouth, ME. Paul also leaves behind the mother of his children, Deborah Maynard, and many beloved nieces and nephews, cousins, extended family members, and close friends. Paul is predeceased by his parents, Joseph S. Smegal and Alice (French) Smegal; his brother, Joseph P. Smegal, and his son Paul J. Smegal, all formerly of Pittsfield. Funeral Notice: Funeral services for Paul S. Smegal will be Friday, April 16, 2021 with a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 10:00 am at St. Charles Church, 89 Briggs Ave., Pittsfield, celebrated by the Rev. A. Peter Gregory, Pastor Emeritus, and concelebrated by Paul’s cousin, the Rev. John Smegal. Calling hours will be held Thursday, April 15, 2021 from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm at St. Charles Church with COVID precautions in place. In lieu of flowers, donations in Paul’s memory can be made to The Jimmy Fund or Danny Reddy Memorial Golf Tournament in care of the Dwyer Funeral Home, 776 North Street, Pittsfield, MA 01201. Donations CANNOT be made online, but may be made through the Dwyer Funeral Home.

Mr. Paul S. Smegal

September 26, 1954 - April 11, 2021