Master Chief Gerald James Smith

Gerald J. Smith, Master Chief Petty Officer, US Navy (Retired) and Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) (Retired), age 87, of Bel Air, MD, passed away on November 6, 2013 at Autumn Assisted Living in Bel Air, MD. Born in Dorchester, MA, he was the son of the late Frank Anthony and Catherine Mary Cullen Smith. Mr. Smith was a veteran of WWII, China Service, Korea, Vietnam, and U.S. Navy Expeditionary Service. Prior to DLA Service as a Quality Representative and Industrial Specialist, he was employed in various quality assurance engineering positions with Raytheon Equipment Development Laboratory, Inforex Computer Systems and Data General Corporation in Massachusetts. Mr. Smith was an active member of various veterans' organizations: Disabled American Veterans, Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, Fleet Reserve Association, Naval Institute and Abingdon Lodge #2354 BPOE.

Mr. Smith is the beloved husband of Janet (Hart) Smith of New Britain, CT and the devoted father of Julia Ann Smith Reda and husband, Scott, of Perry Hall and Mary Catherine Smith of Green Castle, PA; sister, Barbara M. Ludwig and husband, Ernie, of Phoenix, AZ; and grandchildren, Mitchell Smith Reda and Zachary Scott Reda. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his twin brother, Frank A. Smith and sister, Anne Panarello.

Pallbearers were Jerry Wade, Scott Reda and Anthony Reda.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to St. Ignatius Capital Campaign Fund, 533 E. Jarrettsville Road, Forest Hill, MD 21050 or Holy Apostles College and Seminary, 33 Prospect Hill Road, Cromwell, CT 06416.