Memorial service held for late attorney F. Matthew Smith

The Hibiscus Hall at the Fiesta Resort & Spa Saipan was packed yesterday for the memorial service of long-time Commonwealth Development Authority legal counsel F. Matthew Smith, who passed away last Aug. 1 at the age of 49 at his residence on Capital Hill.

Nola Hix-Petersburg recalled yesterday how the late attorney F. Matthew Smith sent his son to her office just to give her an envelope that contained a certificate for free movies as a gift for her wedding. Hix-Petersburg was among 14 people who spoke about Smith during a memorial service at a packed Hibiscus Hall of the Fiesta Resort. (Ferdie De La Torre)

Carter Smith, 16, told Saipan Tribune that his father, who had diabetes, passed away in his sleep.

Carter, who is the youngest of four children, said when he woke up and went downstairs at about 6am, he saw his father lying on the couch.

“He was watching TV and fell asleep,” he said. “He was good, very friendly, nice.”

Carter’s sister, Madison, flew from Utah, to help arrange the memorial service and cremation for their father.

Carter, who grew up on Saipan, said he too is going to the U.S. mainland.

Smith’s wife, Christina, died in 2013. The couple left behind four children: Taylor, Madison, Harrison, and Carter.

Businessman Del Benson assisted Madison in preparing the memorial service. The original venue was the church, but they moved it to Fiesta Resort because of lack of power and water.

About 14 people spoke at the memorial service. Smith’s younger brother was also present at the memorial service. Many lawyers, church members, and friends attended the service.

Benson said Smith was like a brother to him.

“We worked together all the time. We communicated. We’ve known each other since he came on island. And we’re very close for the past 20 years,” said Benson, who burst into tears during the interview.

Benson said he and Smith shared life stories, life experiences, and their kids’ growing up.

Benson said Smith came to the island in 1992 or 1993, when he then worked for the law office of attorney Vicente Salas.

He said Smith left in 1998 and went to New Mexico, but returned in 2000 and then became a partner at Salas’ law office.

Benson said when Salas semi-retired, Smith put up his own law office.

“He’s very close to Ben Salas and family,” he said.

Attroney Mark Scoggins, who is a partner at Smith’s law office, said he worked with Smith for nine years.

“He’s kind, generous, honest. Always thinking about other people instead of himself,” said Scoggins, who also could not stop his tears.

Scoggins said Smith had serious health problems and had been mourning over his wife’s passing.

“So many times he came so close to just not making it through. He never lost his sense of humor. Never started thinking of himself rather than other people,” he said.

Smith was the producer of Baptists at Our Barbecue, a 2004 comedy based on a 1996 novel by his brother, Robert Farrell Smith.