[1] Smith was born in Albany, New York in 1944, and was educated at the public schools in North Plainfield, New Jersey.
In 1965 he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Trinity College, Connecticut then earned his Master of Divinity (M.Div.)
Later he became the assistant priest of St John's Church in Waterbury, Connecticut where he remained until 1976 after which he became rector at St Michael's Church in Naugatuck, Connecticut.
He also served as rector at St Mary's Church in Manchester, Connecticut from 1985 till 1996.
He was elected Bishop of Connecticut in June 1999 and was installed on October 16 of the same year.