Richard H. “Pat” “Smitty” Smith Sr., 77, of Mifflin passed away at 12:03 p.m. on Thursday, August 27, 2015 at the Locust Grove Retirement Village, Mifflin.
Born on October 1, 1937 in Philadelphia, he was a son of the late Hurlock B. and Muriel (Midince) Smith. On November 18, 1961, he married his surviving wife, Dorothy J. (Schnell) Smith, with whom he was blessed to share more than 53 years of marriage.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by three sons, Richard H. Smith Jr., of Glen Mills, PA, Robert H. Smith, of Havertown, PA, Ronald H. Smith Sr., of Wilmington, DE, a sister, Paula J. Byard, of Warminster, PA, a brother, Donald C. Smith, of Claymont DE, and four grandchildren, Richard H. Smith III, Cara L. Smith, both of Newark, DE, Ronald H. Smith Jr., of Chichester, PA, and Jaxsen E. Smith, of West Palm Beach, FL.
A brother, Jerry W. Smith, of Miami, FL, and a sister, Margo D. LoBiondo, of Ridley Township preceded him in death.
Mr. Smith attended Matamoras United Methodist Church, and the New Beginning Church for many years, both of Spruce Hill. He also proudly served his country with the U.S. Marine Corp.
His memberships included the Union Lodge No. 324, F&AM, Mifflintown, Port Royal Lions Club, American Legion # 298, Mifflintown, the Juniata County Sportsman Club and the NRA.
Through the 1960’s and 70’s he served as the District Manager of Vulcan Tools in Delaware and Chester county, later he served as the Transportation Supervisor in the Garnett Valley School District in Concord, Delaware County for eight years, after which he joined the business of Richard H. Lloyd, Son and Smith in excavating for several years then decided to retire and move to Juniata County in 1995 where he again worked in excavating with Hosler Excavating, Port Royal.
After moving to Juniata County he drove school bus several years for J. Leroy Stewart, Booker Busing, Dick Hart and finally Gilson Busing hauling (as “Smitty” called the children “his precious cargo”). He delivered food around the area for The Four Seasons of Mifflintown and he delivered local mail.
“Smitty” enjoyed hunting, fishing, preparing fire wood for stoves in his “cabin” back in the Herringbone Ridge but truly enjoyed being with his family and many friends.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, August 30, 2015 from the Matamoras United Methodist Church, Spruce Hill with Rev. Terry Brosius officiating where full military burial honors will be accorded by Juniata County Veterans Council.
For those that wish, memorial donations in Mr. Smith’s memory may be made to the Matamoras United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 396, Port Royal, PA 17082 or to the American Cancer Society, 1375 Martin St., Suite 206, State College, PA 16803.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the Brown Funeral Homes, Inc., 100 Bridge St., Mifflintown.