Edward Smith

Mr. Edward H. Smith, loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, passed away on Friday, September 27, 2019 at the age of 91. Born November 17, 1927 in Jersey City, NJ, he was a son of the late Eli Hugh Smith and Elizabeth Free Smith.

Edward, 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 United States Army during the Korean War and assigned to the 8th Army, 7th Division, 1st Battalion, 17th Regiment, A Company. Upon honorable discharge in 1952, Ed 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, NJ. It was during this time that fate brought he and the love of his life, Lois, together. Soon after they were married, Ed and Lois moved to Bogota, NJ, 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, Ed and Lois moved to Longwood, FL, enjoying many years together until her passing in 2005. Ed remained in Florida until 2016 when he moved to Onancock, VA to be closer to his son, Glenn and his family. 

Over the years, Ed continued to serve his country and community in various capacities. He was a lifetime member of the Fidelity Lodge #113 F&AM in Ridgewood, NJ, 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. Edward 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, VA; 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, will be conducted from the Petrik Funeral Home, in Bogota, on Thursday, October 3, 2019 at 10:00 a.m., with The Reverend Robert Fletcher officiating. Interment, with military honors, will follow in the George Washington Memorial Park.

The family will receive friends for visitation at the funeral home on Wednesday, October 2, 2019 from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. and from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in memory of Edward Smith to the New Jersey Firemen’s Home, 565 Lathrop Avenue, Boonton, NJ 07005.

Arrangements by the Williams-Onancock Funeral Home (www.williamsfuneralhomes.com) and Petrik Funeral Home (www.petrikfuneralhome.com).

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