Foxborough Rev. Brian Smith Dies at 45; Services to be Held Thursday & Friday

Foxborough Rev. Brian P. Smith has gone home to God.

Fr. Brian spent the past 2 1/2 years at St. Mary's Church on Central Street before passing away from colon cancer early Monday morning. He was just 45 years old.

Fr. Brian was born Oct. 5, 1967 in Boston and is the beloved son of Donald M. and Virginia M. (Bailey) Smith of Weymouth.

Raised in Weymouth, Fr. Brian graduated from Weymouth North High School in 1985 and later graduated from Bridgewater State College with a degree in English. He then went on to teach music at St. Coletta’s Day School in Braintree.

Fr. Brian went on to attend St. John’s Seminary in Brighton and was ordained a Catholic priest on May 24, 2003.

Fr. Brian was assigned as a Parochial Vicar at St. Edith Stein Church in Brockton. He continued at St. Mary’s Church in Chelmsford for a short period of time before being assigned to St. Mary’s Church in Foxborough where he has served since 2011.

Fr. Brian loved music, playing guitar, reading, movies, and especially spending time with family and friends.

He is survived by his parents, Donald M. and Virginia M. (Bailey) Smith of Weymouth; his brothers, Michael M. and his wife Carolyn Durso-Smith of Guilford, Conn.; Kevin J. and Stephen F. Smith of Weymouth; his nieces Molly and Maggie, and nephew, Christopher; his uncle, James F. Bailey of Scituate; aunts, Grace Ann Horgan of Foxborough, and Ann Toland of Braintree, as well as several cousins.

Foxborough's School Committee held a moment of silence during Monday's meeting for Fr. Brian and offered their sincerest condolences to his family.

"Father Brian at St. Mary's Parish, who did a lot for our youth, lost his life today after a courageous battle. Could we have a moment of silence before we start our meeting for an important member of our community," said Bruce Gardner, vice-chair of the School Committee.

Fr. Brian's church, St. Mary's, published the following message on its website:

"We recognize that parents may have questions about how children might best participate in our community prayer for Brian and in our farewell," the message said. "During the vigil, Father Brian will be dressed in his vestments and his casket will be fully opened. The experience of witnessing grief and seeing someone in death can be upsetting for some children and parents are in the best position to know if their child is ready for such an experience. To provide all children with the opportunity to grieve with their family and with our parish community, the 9 a.m. Mass on Sunday, June 16 will be a family Mass in memory of Father Brian to help all of us remember him as our priest and friend."

Fr. Brian's family will bring him home to Foxborough for a vigil and Mass celebrating his life with the community of faith on Thursday, June 6 from 3 to 7 p.m., according to St. Mary's Church.

"During the vigil Brian will lie in state in our church and all who loved Father Brian and have been touched by his kindness and his ministry will have the opportunity to pray and to share words of comfort and consolation with one another and with his family," St. Mary's stated on its website. "The vigil will conclude at 7 p.m. with a Mass of Thanksgiving." 

Funeral Information

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated by his Eminence Cardinal Sean O’Malley on Friday, June 7th at 12:30 p.m. in Sacred Heart Church, 55 Commercial St., Weymouth Landing. Private family interment will follow at The Village Cemetery, Weymouth. Fr. Brian will lie in state on Wednesday from 3 to 7 p.m. in St. Edith Stein Church, 71 East Main St., Brockton followed by a Parish Mass of Thanksgiving at 7 p.m. and will continue to lie in state on Thursday from 3 to 7 p.m. in St. Mary’s Church, 58 Carpenter St., Foxborough followed by a Parish Mass of Thanksgiving at 7 p.m.

Donations Information

In lieu of flowers, donations in Fr. Brian’s memory may be made to My Brother’s Keeper, PO Box#338, Easton, MA 02356.

Donations Link: My Brother's Keeper

Editor's note: Rev. Smith's obituary can be viewed on the Russell & Pica Funeral Home's website by clicking here.