James E. Smith

Beloved son, fiancé, brother, grandson, cousin and friend. 

James Edward Smith, 26, of Lowell, MA, passed away unexpectedly the morning of November 8, 2025, in Tampa, FL. 

James was born at Lowell General Hospital on May 21, 1999, the third loving son of Maureen (Delehanty) Smith and Christopher Smith. James attended Reilly Elementary School, Sullivan Middle School, and Lowell High School, graduating in June 2017. He went on to attend Plymouth State University, where he met the love of his life, his fiancée Nicole DeCicco. 

James’s childhood was filled with summers at the beach, skiing in the winter, and various sports to fill the time where neither were possible. On the mountain, James proved difficult to keep up with, seemingly trying to break the downhill speed record at every peak on the East Coast. Throughout his life, he was always at his happiest when he was skiing. Any golf fan would have appreciated watching James play - he had a majestic short game from a young age that meant he was never out of a hole. In addition to his passions, James was a letterman in football, wrestling and lacrosse during his time at LHS, and continued his lacrosse career in college at Plymouth State.

After college, James joined the New Hampshire National Guard to serve his country, completing basic training at Fort Jackson, SC in 2021. From there, he moved to the Seacoast, ending up in Hampton, NH down the street from his parents. Here, he joined the Charlie Battery, 1st of the 103rd  Field Artillery Regiment in the Guard. James served his state in natural disaster response efforts and ultimately led efforts to promote the Guard’s mission through local media in the Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 197th Field Artillery Brigade. James was deeply proud of his service, reaching the title of Sergeant in December 2024. In the coming years, James was planning to re-enlist and complete a deployment abroad. 

With one trademark smile, James had the uncanny ability to maneuver his way out of any wrinkle he found himself in. He went by many names in his many brotherhoods – “Smitty” for those he met in Lowell and with the Guard, “Jimbo” for those he met in Plymouth. Regardless of the nickname, the person behind them was the same; a loving, intelligent, devoted, compassionate and strong-willed young man who could also have been a touring comedian in a different life. James instinctually knew how to make you feel welcome at the table - it didn’t matter if you were his family or a complete stranger. 

One of his favorite quotes was from the movie Gladiator, where Maximus tells his soldiers that “What we do in life…echoes in eternity.” In this spirit, put simply, James was a once-in-a-lifetime personality who left an indelible impression on everyone lucky enough to meet him, and he will never be forgotten by his countless friends and family.

James is survived by his parents, Maureen and Christopher of Hampton, NH; his fiancée, Nicole DeCicco of Hampton, NH; his brothers, Matthew and Olivia Smith of Nashua, NH and Thomas Smith and fiancée Katherine Endress of Hoboken, NJ; his maternal grandmother, Donna Delehanty of Lowell, MA; his aunts and uncles, Sheila Delehanty of Amesbury, MA, Thomas and Nicole Delehanty of Phoenix, AZ, Bryan and Betsey Fawcett of Lowell, MA, Elizabeth McGovern and Chuck Collins of Portsmouth, NH, Nora Smith Parell and Jack Parell of Hillsboro Beach, FL, Christine Roberts of South Dennis, MA, Deb Smith of Hampton, NH, Katie Smith and Steve Plourde of Exeter, NH, Michael and Maryann Smith of Atkinson, NH, and Robert and Donna Smith of Hollis, NH; his many cousins; and all of his friends, including those he just hadn’t met yet. 

The family wishes to extend its deepest gratitude for the overwhelming support they have received from the wider community during the most difficult period of their lives, including a special thanks to Nora Smith Parell, for being there when we needed her the most. They would also like to commend the United States Army, the New Hampshire National Guard, particularly Sergeant First Class Charles J. Crocker and Brigadier General Allen D. Aldenberg, the Lowell Police Department, Congresswoman Lori Trahan, and Tim Crowley, who ensured James received the warm welcome he deserved. 

Friends may call on Friday, November 21, 2025, at the O’DONNELL FUNERAL HOME 276 PAWTUCKET ST. in LOWELL from 3-7 PM. Relatives and friends are invited to attend his Funeral Mass to be celebrated Saturday morning, November 22, at the IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CHURCH at 11 o’clock. Committal Services will be held for the family at a later date. E-condolences/directions at www.odonnellfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to make contributions in his memory may donate to the Merrimack Valley Food Bank at https://mvfb.org/how-to-help/donate-today/. Arrangements by Funeral Director James F. O’Donnell, Jr. (978) 458-8768.

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