Scott A. Smith, 78, of Venice FL passed away quite unexpectedly on February 3, 2026 under the care of Hospice.  He was born on February 9, 1947 in Jamestown NY, the son of the late Louis W. and Sabra M. Smith.  He grew up in Lakewood, NY, and was a graduate of Allegheny College and the Catholic University Columbus School of Law.

Upon graduation from Law School, he served as a Law Clerk for the Mass. Superior Court, and then a Clerkship to the Justices of the Mass. Supreme Judicial Court. Following the Clerkships, he taught at BU Law School and then served as a Massachusetts Asst. Attorney General. In 1989, with his colleague Christopher Duggan, he founded the law firm Smith and Duggan in downtown Boston. 

Scott loved to be outdoors. He was an avid Red Sox (and Cleveland Indians/Guardians) fan and cheered them on from the same seats in Fenway Park for 40 years.   His mountain climbing escapades included Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania (before the glacier melts), Mount Rainier and Mt. St Helens in Washington state, and all 48 of New Hampshire’s 4000 footers in winter.

He learned to row once he retired to Florida in 2008. He worked with disabled rowers helping them to enjoy the sport.  He was passionate about bicycling, both in Venice with good friends Dwight Dolby and  Doreen Palmer, and with his Gourmet  Garden  bicycling club in Massachusetts. For 20 years, he did the annual 150-mile MS fundraising ride from Boston to Provincetown.  He was a Big Brother for 18 years and spent many days working for Habitat for Humanity.

One of his greatest joys was the annual “Losers” trip to Lake Tahoe, spent with his best friends Alvin Bugbee,  Jake Lesswing, Bob Post and others from college and fraternity days.

Scott was a loving, generous and compassionate soul.  He was a man of great Christian faith.  He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

Scott is survived by his loving wife of 45 years, Mary Jane Moreau, his sister Sabra (Sally) (J. Enrique) Nazar of Endwell NY, his nephew Rick (Mei) of San Diego, niece Lisa (Nick) Butler of Naples, FL, cousins Nick Nichols (Mary Brouillard) of Appling GA, Julie Smith and Jackson Smith of Lakewood NY.  His brother Charlie predeceased him.

A celebration of his life will be held on Saturday, April 18, at 11 AM at the Auburn Road Presbyterian Church, 642 N. Auburn Road, Venice. 

Memorial donations in his name may be made to Habitat for Humanity South Sarasota County, 280 Alligator Drive Venice  34293. Farley Funeral Home in Venice is handling the arrangements. To send a condolence or memory please visit www.farleyfuneralhome.com.