George "Jeff" Smith's Obituary
Jeff Smith, age 82, passed away at home in Pinellas Park, FL on Tuesday, June 28, 2022. Born May 21, 1940 in Palermo, NY to the late Maxwell G. Smith and Eleanor “Pat” (Hess) Batsford. Jeff was raised in King Ferry, NY and graduated from King Ferry High School in 1958. Shortly after high school he moved to St. Petersburg, FL where he met his first wife, Philomena (Haber) Smith and relocated to St. Pete Beach, FL in 1966 where they were members of St. John Vianney Catholic Church.
Jeff was called up for active duty in 1968 and served 18 months during the Vietnam War as a member of the 231st Transportation Company, “Grandad’s Gators”, out of St. Petersburg, FL. Upon returning from the war Jeff continued working for the St. Petersburg Times as a printer as well as various other jobs. He eventually settled with GTE Directories where he worked until his retirement.
Jeff remarried in 1992 to Sandra K. Smith and had a loving 28 years together. Upon retirement, Jeff and Sandy travelled and even moved to Sandy’s childhood town of Zanesville, OH for a while. Eventually they moved back to St. Petersburg to be closer to family and friends. Sandy passed away peacefully at home on October 1, 2020 with Jeff lovingly by her side.
Jeff is survived by his eldest son Michael S. Smith and fiancé Mimi Williams and his children Cortney Ellis and David M. Smith; his daughter Kelly Fasce and husband Richard Fasce and their children Angelo Fasce and Christian Fasce; his youngest son Patrick M. Smith and wife Debora Davidson Smith and their children Maxwell C. Smith and Grace C. Smith; his three great grandchildren; his stepdaughter Diana Stewart (daughter of Sandy); his step-grandson, and Cuddles (his and Sandy’s dog).
Services will be held July 9th at 10:00 am at Memorial Park Cemetery. A memorial mass will be held in Jeff’s honor on July 30, 2022 in the chapel at St. Jude Cathedral.
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