HOLDEN – Robert A. "Red" Smith, 81, of 15 Hawthorne Road, a retired steelworker, died Sunday in Oakdale Rehabilitation Center, Oakdale, after an illness.

He leaves his wife of 51 years, Ella F. (Stapley) Smith; a son, Gary A. Smith of Huntinton, NY; a daughter, Sandra J. Smith of Holden; a brother, Weldon A. Smith of Ashland, ME; a sister, Pauline M. Stoddard of Holden; three grandsons (Brent, Jeffrey and Gregory Smith) nephews and nieces.  Born in Washburn, Maine, son of Harry H. and Minnie S. (Sutherland) Smith, he lived 44 years in Holden.  A World War II Army veteran, he served in the Pacific.

Mr. Smith worked 35 years at the American Steel & Wire Division, U.S. Steel Corp., in Worcester.  He was a steelworker 10 years at Morgan Construction Co. in Worcester, retiring in 1982.

Mr. Smith coached a basketball team for the Chaffin Men's Club, now the Recreation Association, and was a Little League manager and umpire in Holden.

He was a member of the Tatnuck Post 288, American Legion, in Worcester; Ashland (ME) Post, Veterans of Foreign Wars and Disabled American Veterans.

A private graveside service will be held in Worcester County Memorial Park, Paxton.  There are no calling hours.  Memorial contributions may be made to the Age Center of Worcester Area, Meals on Wheels program.