James E. Smith, 81, of New Bedford died Thursday, December 15, 2016. He was the husband of Cynthia M. (Costa) Smith.

Born in Tennessee, son of the late James and Mattie (Brown) Smith, he lived in Chicago until joining the Air Force, and then lived in New Bedford for the rest of his life.

He was a communicant of St. Julie Billiart Church in Dartmouth.

James attended Crane Tech High School in Chicago and was later a graduate of Southeastern Massachusetts University.

He was formerly employed as a mechanical engineer by Morse Cutting Tools for over 25 years.

Survivors include his wife; a son, Peter J. Smith of Chicago; a granddaughter, Haley Ann Smith and her mother, Mary A. Smith, both of Des Moines, IA; and several godchildren.

He was predeceased by his sister, Mae Smith.

His funeral mass will be held on December 28 at 10 a.m. at St. Julie Billiart Church. Burial will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery. For the online guestbook, visit www.saundersdwyer.com.