Tom Smith

Thomas L. Smith, age 97, of Bel Air, MD, died on January 10, 2011 at Bel Air Health and Rehabilitation in Bel Air, MD. Born on September 8, 1913 in Dunlo, PA, he was the son of the late Matthew Logan and Mary Jane Williams Smith, and husband of the late Doris Jean Krise Smith. A veteran of the U.S. Army, he served, for three years, in the China-Burma-India Theatre of Operations during WWII. He was the recipient of Good Conduct Medal and Asiatic Pacific Service Medal with 3 Bronze Stars.

He attended the Johnstown Junior College Branch of the University of Pittsburgh; was graduated from Otterbein College with a BA degree, Magna Cum Laude. He did further study at Duke University; received an MA degree from Bucknell University and did advanced work at Rutgers University and Central Washington State University. He taught in Adams High School, Sedman, PA for a period of 9 ½ years and in Bel Air High for 5 years. He served as Supervisor of High Schools in St. Mary's County, MD and in the Harford County Public School System. He retired from Harford County Public Schools as the Supervisor of Curriculum for grades kindergarten through 12th grade. He was instrumental in initiating the County and science fairs for the Harford County Public School System and was an instructor for Towson State University in the Team Teaching Workshops sponsored for teachers in the summer.

He was presented with a Certificate of Recognition in acknowledgment of having been named as a member of the Harford County Public Schools Educator Hall of Fame on February 25, 2002. He was the recipient of two government grants for the purpose of advanced study in supervisors leadership and modern methodology in the area of foreign languages having been selected by fellow supervisors as the most outstanding supervision in the institute.

He was a member of the Phi Theta Kappa, honorary scholastic fraternity for Junior Colleges; and Phi Sigma Iota, honorary fraternity for Romance Languages. He was also a member of the Bel Air Post of the American Legion; the Harford County and Maryland State Retired Teacher's Association; and Bel Air United Methodist Church.

A 40 year educator, he was an articulate and dapper teacher, supervisor, and curriculum leader.

Mr. Smith is survived by his daughter, Victoria Jean Schepers-Kennedy, and husband, John, of Bel Air, MD; the "Loving Poppy" of his sweetheart, his granddaughter, Hannah A. Schepers, of Bel Air, MD; and his daughter Christina Louise Canatella, and husband, Joseph, of Jarrettsville, MD. He is also survived by nephews and nieces. In addition to his parents and wife, he was predeceased by three brothers and four sisters.

Pallbearers will be John Kennedy, Joseph Canatella, Charlie Kennedy, Brian Smith, Steve White, and Carl Canatella.