Sarasota, Fla. - Chester Fanning Smith, formerly of Newark, N.J., and New London, died Feb. 23, 2007 in Sarasota.Survivors include his caregiver, Han Won Ng; his brothers, Aborn Dennison Smith Jr. and his wife Margaret of Stonington and Charles Morgan Smith and his wife Lynn of Old Lyme; his daughter, Paula Smith and her husband Denis Dion of Brossard, Quebec; two grandsons and many nieces and nephews.A native of Connecticut, he was born May 14, 1925. He attended the Bulkley School in New London.After serving in World War II and being awarded a Purple Heart, Mr. Smith pursued his lifelong dream to become a concert pianist.He graduated from Harvard in 1950 and continued his graduate studies at the New England Conservatory of Music. Chester received a masters of music degree from Yale University School of Music. His official debut was in Minneapolis in 1949. He performed extensively as a soloist and in chamber ensembles throughout the United States, Europe, the Virgin Islands and Bermuda.He was a dedicated professor emeritus of music, serving as chairman of the Music Department during part of his 25 year career with Rutgers University, Newark Campus.He also was the organist at the North Reformed Church in Newark until 2001.Chester Fanning Smith, affectionately known as "Chet", was devoted to his family and many lifelong friends in Newark, Sarasota and Connecticut.He will be deeply missed by everyone who knew and loved him.Services will be held at North Reformed Church, Newark, N.J. at a later date.