Peter Austin Smith's Obituary
Peter A. Smith, a long-time resident of Germantown, Tennessee and Marine Veteran, passed away peacefully at home in San Diego on Tuesday the 22nd of March at the age of 82.
Peter was born in 1939 in Englewood, New Jersey to Walter Smith and Margaret McGuire. Brother to the late WIlliam Smith. Peter attended Dumont High School in Dumont, N.J. where he met the love of his life during a chemistry class, the late Leila (Lee) Née Lagana. He received a Civil Engineering degree from New Jersey Institute of Technology in 1960. In 1962, Peter entered the Marine Corp in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Platoon 113 Company D and was honorably discharged in November 1967. He continued his education and received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Engineering, from Fairleigh Dickinson in 1973.
Peter married Lee on June 22, 1963. He is survived by his children, Jacqueline, Peter, Kathleen, and Michael. He is survived by his sister-in-law Donna Cislak, wife to the late Stan Cislak, and brother-in-law Ralph Demarest, husband to the late Marie Demarest. Cherished grandfather of nine loving grandchildren, Emily, Julia, Peter, Jake, Dahlia, Viviana, Madyson, Lyla, and Jayden. He has two sons-in-law, Mark Heil and Jerry Getsos, and two daughters-in-law, Michelle Crawford and Alyssa Alvarado Smith. He has five nieces, Carole, Patti, Alicia, Jennifer, Kristin, and two nephews Randi and David. He also is survived by lifelong friend, Margie Ercole.
His early career included working as a Regional Engineer for Arkwright Boston Insurance as well as a Senior Regional Field Supervisor for Improved Risk Mutuals. In 1975 Peter joined International Paper Company as a Manager of Property Insurance and Conservation in New York City, and later finished his career with the company in Memphis, Tennessee. In 1984, his work on fire protection engineering was published in the Industrial Fire Hazards Handbook, by the National Fire Protection Association, Inc.. Upon retirement, Peter volunteered his time to the Madonna Learning Center, the private faith-based school for children and young adults with disabilities.
As an active member of the church community of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Peter was a Eucharistic Minister/Lector and a member of the Church’s Bible Study Group before his move to San Diego. He was also a member of the Memphis chapter of the “Fishers of Men”.
A train enthusiast and avid Model Railroader, Peter could always be found working on his trains and received many awards and acknowledgments for his creativity and creations. Peter also had a love for Haiku poetry, and would write and send his own poems to his family.
Wake and Funeral Services will be held as follows: Private Visitation for Family: Sunday April 3, 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. at Memorial Park Funeral Home & Cemetery, 5668 Poplar Ave., Memphis, TN 38119. Visitation for Family and Friends: Monday April 4, 8:30 a.m. -10 a.m. Funeral Mass: Monday April 4, 10:00 a.m. at the church of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, 8151 Poplar Ave., Germantown, TN 38138.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the Madonna Learning Center, (901) 752-5767.
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