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The Grandfather of Woodland

He is easy to recognize- navy blue shirt, fluorescent grey lettering across the back, thin spectacles. And he is always busy- supervising the halls, asking students for their passes, walking with someone if they are having a rough day, and handing out lollipops.

Fred Smith has been helping make students smile for the past nine years at Woodland Regional High School. He is a valuable asset to the Woodland family. After working 43 of his seventy two years at the Ansonia Copper and Brass Factory and part-time at the Region Sixteen District Office doing custodial work, he decided to take the full time job at Woodland.

And he’s already been working here longer than planned.

When he accepted the job, he and his wife, of fifty one years, Mary Ann Smith  agreed he would call it quits at the age of seventy. Once he had reached that age, they had a discussion about his “seventy-year old promise.”

“She looked at me and said, ‘how does eighty sound?’ and I said, ‘sounds good to me’,” said Fred.

At this healthy stage of his life, Fred explains that he will do whatever he can to keep the children safe. He also stresses the kindness of not only the staff and administrators but the students he has worked with at Woodland as well.

“They are all great kids,” said Fred.

However, working at Woodland is not his only job. Other activities consume his weekend time outside of school. Fred and Mary Ann enjoy going grocery shopping, taking rides, and getting dinner. The couple enjoys trying many different restaurants and cannot decide on a favorite.


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They are also quite adventurous. Just last year, the couple visited Paris. They have also traveled to Italy, Alaska, and many other islands but both Fred and his wife agree that Italy was their favorite trip.

“Fred and I were able to see a lot of interesting things,” said Mary Ann. “And meet a lot of nice people.”

Although the couple enjoys spending time together, family is an important aspect of Fred’s life.

Fred’s two grandchildren are very special to him. Tom Smith, eighth grader at Long River Middle School, describes his grandfather as a “very kind man with a huge heart willing to help anyone.” He reminisces about the times they would go fishing together at Matthies Park when Tom was about seven years old.

Fred’s other grandson Tyler Smith, junior at Woodland, remembers having sleepovers at his grandparents. He describes waking up to a large breakfast before going outside for the day. Tyler knows his grandfather is always there for him. He says having Fred around all day is great.

“I get to know everyone at Woodland,” said Tyler. “And he always helps me when I need it.”

And having been to school himself, Fred knows exactly what his students go through. Throughout his schooling, Fred moved around several times. He attended school in Shelton up to third grade when he moved to Derby in fourth and finally to Ansonia in fifth where he stayed to finish his schooling. Fred remembers moving schools so many times and having to make new friends along the way.

Since he attended an all boys high school, he did not have a senior prom. However, one of Fred’s favorite high school memories was getting his driver’s license and having the privilege to receive a 1948 Mercury very soon after. Even though he really enjoyed finally graduating, school was where he met his best friend, Dennis. They grew up with one another in Ansonia and proceeded to work at the factory together. Their friendship has lasted throughout a good portion of both their lives and the two talk on the phone and see each other on a regular basis.

“That kind of thing does not happen with everyone,” said Fred. “But it did with us.”

Fred encourages these friendships as well as good behavior at Woodland. To commend good behavior, Fred sometimes hands out lollipops to students passing by.

The students at Woodland admire Fred for his caring heart.

Senior, Danielle Bobbie’s father was going in to the hospital to have heart surgery when he reached out to her. He noticed that she was upset and offered her a walk with “grandpa” Fred.

“I told him the story and he was really supportive,” said Bobbie.

She also remembers how he helped her the first day of freshman year. He walked her to her classes and was there to help if her locker was jammed. Although she does not know him personally, Bobbie and Fred have built a relationship throughout her four years at Woodland.

Fred is willing to help the students in any way. This sweet and kind hearted man believes that the most important part of his job is to make sure the students learn as much as they can and have fun.

“This job has been very rewarding for me. It is my pleasure to be around such nice young people and at this stage in my life,” said Fred. “It does not get any better than that.”


EDIT: Tyler Smith is a junior at Woodland, not a sophomore.

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Katie is the Executive Managing Editor and the moderator for Hawk Headlines' Roundtable as well as the anchor of Sixty Second News. She has spent five full semesters at Hawk Headlines.

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