Sibley C. Smith

Sibley Smith, 89 of Wakefield, Rhode Island passed away on January 19,

2025 following an extended illness. He was born in 1935 in Washington,

DC to Sibley and Catherine (Sisk) Smith. He graduated from the Hill School

in Pottstown, Pennsylvania before attending Yale University, where he

studied architecture for two years. In 1956 he enlisted in the U.S. Coast

Guard, where he served honorably until his discharge in 1962. He resumed

his studies at the Rhode Island School of Design, where he studied under

Tage Frid, the renowned Danish professor of Woodworking and Furniture

Design, and earned a degree in industrial design in 1965.

Sibley went on to spend some of his early career in the Department of

Planning and Urban Design at the Boston Redevelopment Authority in the

years that saw the historic remodeling of Quincy Market. On his return to

Rhode Island, he turned his focus to furniture design and construction as

well as home design and remodeling along with interior boat design and

cabinetry.

One of his passions in life was sailing, starting around age 10 and

continuing through his adult life. For many years that passion was

expressed in his devotion to his beautiful Concordia yawl, Nefertiti, on

which he spent happy hours with family and friends.

Sibley’s love of dogs began as a toddler with his Great Dane and over the

years had dogs of mixed breeds and with his wife bred Labrador Retrievers

as pets and show dogs.

Sibley is survived by his wife of 48 years, Cecile Cohen and his daughter

Alison Smith, a niece, Tara Levesque, and his nephew, David Smith and his

2 Labrador Retrievers Petra and Lily. He was predeceased by his parents

and his brother, Gordon Smith.

The family would like to thank the staffs at Elderwood Scallop Shell and at

Hope Health Hospice for their support and attention.

Burial will be private.

Donations in his memory may be made to the RISPCA.