Mr. Edward H. Smith, loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, passed away Friday, Sept. 27, 2019, at the age of 91. Born Nov. 17, 1927, in Jersey City, N.J., he was a son of the late Eli Hugh Smith and Elizabeth Free Smith.
Mr. Smith, known as “Ed” or “Smitty” to family and friends, spent his childhood living in both New Jersey and California. In 1950, he was drafted into the U.S. Army during the Korean War and assigned to the 8th Army, 7th Division, 1st Battalion, 17th Regiment, A Company. Upon honorable discharge in 1952, Mr. Smith returned home to New Jersey, and for the next 35 years he owned and operated Smith’s Sunoco Station at Old Route 3 and Minnie Place, in Secaucus, N.J. It was during this time that fate brought he and the love of his life, Lois, together. Soon after they were married, Mr. and Mrs. Smith moved to Bogota, N.J., where they raised their two sons. He loved coaching his boys in sports, camping with them in the Boy Scouts, bowling in several leagues with Lois, and of course, winning all the trophies, watching all sporting events, and he especially looked forward to family parties and watching his grandchildren and great-grandchildren grow up. Following retirement in 1992, Mr. and Mrs. Smith moved to Longwood, Fla., enjoying many years together until her passing in 2005. Mr. Smith remained in Florida until 2016 when he moved to Onancock, Va., to be closer to his son, Glenn, and his family.
Over the years, Mr. Smith continued to serve his country and community in various capacities. He was a lifetime member of the Fidelity Lodge #113 F&AM in Ridgewood, N.J., a 30-year member of the Bogota Volunteer Fire Department, Engine Co. #1, where he enjoyed working his way up through the ranks to become department chief in 1985, and was a member of the VFW Post 2296, in Tasley, Va. Mr. Smith loved his country and his flag, and he was honored to have had the opportunity to serve his nation and fight for our freedom.
Survivors include his son, Glenn E. Smith and wife, Brenda, of Onancock; grandchildren, Benjamin Smith and wife, Sahra, and Emily and Ashley Smith; great-grandchildren, Cutler and Lottie Smith; sisters-in-law, Lois Strong and Irene Everett; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his wife, Lois Ann Smith, and parents, he was predeceased by his son, Craig H. Smith; and brothers, Robert Smith and wife, Marie, and William Smith.
Funeral services, with Masonic Rites, were conducted from the Petrik Funeral Home, in Bogota, Thursday, Oct. 3, 2019 with the Rev. Robert Fletcher officiating. Interment, with military honors, was held in the George Washington Memorial Park.
Contributions may be made in memory of Edward Smith to the New Jersey Firemen’s Home, 565 Lathrop Avenue, Boonton, NJ 07005.
Arrangements were made by the Williams-Onancock Funeral Home (www.williamsfuneralhomes.com) and Petrik Funeral Home (www.petrikfuneralhome.com).
