Francis Clifford Smith
Francis Clifford Smith died in June 2026 at age 101 at 60 West, a facility in Rocky Hill, Connecticut, that provides care to older people in the justice system. He had spent decades in Connecticut's prisons and was granted supervised parole in 2020 before moving there. Known as the "Birdman of Osborn" for saving bread to feed the birds at Osborn Correctional Institute, he was remembered by a former corrections spokesperson, who said staff "kind of turned a blind eye" to it. A spokesman for the facility said he died of old age in his sleep, that his death was dignified and met his wishes, and that his family had limited involvement. He was cremated with no funeral, according to the Boston Globe.
Cause of death, as reported: Died of illness. A spokesman for the facility, David Skoczulek, said he died of old age, in his sleep, with little family involvement.
Reported by: David Skoczulek, spokesman for 60 West (the agency that held him). The only account of how this person died comes from the agency that held him.
Custody: Serving a sentence.