Obituary of Gerard Joseph Smith

Gerard Joseph Smith, Sr.

 Born January 12^th, 1927 at home in the Bronx to Edward F. Smith, Sr. & Anna Cecelia (O’Shea) Smith.  Gerard went home to heaven on Monday June 19^the, 2023 peacefully in Morristown, NJ.

He attended Fordham Preparatory High School and Fordham University.  He was an elite basketball player and was inducted into the Fordham Hall of Fame in 1981 having been the first player to score 1000 points accomplishing this feat in 3 years of eligibility.

He enlisted for service in the U.S. Coast Guard on his 18^th birthday and served honorably from January 1945 to May 1946 stationed in Newfoundland, Canada.  Upon his discharge he completed his studies at Fordham University, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy and Economics in 1950.

Gerard began working at IBM in 1951 and reconnected with the love of his life, Angela Keefe.  They married in 1952 and together started a journey that gave him his greatest joy:  his family.  Gerard and Angela settled in Massapequa, New York where they raised five children:  Maura (Edward) Baker of Southington CT, Gerard J. Smith, Jr. of Raleigh, NC, Elizabeth (Kevin) Sullivan of Harding, NJ, Paul Smith (deceased), and David Smith of Randolph, NJ with whom he resided.  They were very involved in their parish, St. Martin of Tours, Amityville, NY.  Gerard served many roles including, CYO Basketball coach, Parish Council, Lecturer and Eucharistic Minister for many years. 

Gerard worked at IBM for 36 years, retiring in 1987 to care for his son Paul who was a quadriplegic following an accident in 1981.  After Paul’s passing in 1997, Angela and Gerard moved to Randolph, NJ to be close to their children and grandchildren.  They became active in their new home, Resurrection Parish, where they enjoyed many wonderful and beautiful friendships.

Throughout his life, Gerard was an avid athlete enjoying basketball in his younger years and was a very accomplished golfer.  He received many awards for basketball and won many golf tournaments (and a lots of side bets).  In his lifetime he had 5 holes-in-1! 

In addition to his children, Gerard will be treasured by his grandchildren: Jonathan (Charity), Amy (Kevin), Sarah (fiancé Paul), Michele, Carolyn (fiancé Devin), Kevin (Alexandra), Patrick (Brooke), Meredith, Gerard C., Gillian and Paul.  He is also survived by four great grandchildren: Chloe, Anna, Maeve, Jack and 2 great grandsons expected this summer.

We ask that you honor Gerard’s legacy by following his example of combining faith and service with generous love, humor and humility towards all.

Visitation: 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM on Sunday, June 25, 2023 at Tuttle Funeral Home, Randolph (www.tuttlefh.com).

Funeral Mass: 10:00 AM on Monday, June 26, 2023 at Resurrection Parish, Randolph.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Christopher Reeve Foundation or the charity of your choice.