Gene Paul "Smitty" Smith

YOUNGSTOWN – Gene Paul "Smitty" Smith, 84, passed away Sunday evening, May 6, 2018, at St. Elizabeth Health Center in Youngstown, with his family by his side.

Gene was born Nov. 5, 1933, in Toronto, Ohio, a son of the late Peter C. and Pauline Rock Smith, and came to the Youngstown area as a child.

He was a 1952 graduate of Campbell Memorial High School, and worked as a structural ironworker with Ironworkers Local No. 207, retiring in 1988. At the tail end of his career, Smitty traveled to Antarctica to work at McMurdo Station Research Center. Also during his career, Gene was proud to be one of the foreman responsible for the construction of YSU's Stambaugh Stadium.

After retiring from iron-working, Smitty worked as a structural inspector with Globex Corporation.

Mr. Smith served in the United States Army National Guard for nine years. He was a social member of Croatian Fraternal Union, St. George Lodge No. 66 in Youngstown.

Smitty enjoyed traveling and visited many places all over the world, and was an experienced cruiser with Carnival Cruise Line. For the past 21 years, Gene greatly enjoyed vacationing at Geneva-on-the-Lake with his family.

His wife, of 46 years, Violet J. McFall, whom he married Nov. 13, 1954, passed away March 9, 2001.

Gene leaves to cherish his memory his daughter, Susan (Regis) Smith of Youngstown; two sons, Peter (Ann) Smith of Lowellville and Michael (Amy) Smith of Youngstown; four grandchildren, Derek (Hillary) Smith of Greenville, So. Car., Dylan (Cinthia) Smith of Front Royal, Va., Anita Smith of Youngstown, and Natalie Smith of Youngstown; two great-grandchildren, Ethan and Raphael Smith; and his girlfriend and best friend of 17 years, Frances Kupec.

Smitty will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Besides his wife, a son, Andrew G. Smith; a daughter, Mary Ann Smith; a sister, Rose Griffiths; and brother-in-law, Frank Griffiths, preceded Gene in death.

Family and friends are welcome to attend a Memorial and committal service at 1 p.m., Monday May 14, at Calvary Cemetery Chapel in Youngstown.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Kinnick Funeral Home, 477 N. Meridian Rd., in Youngstown.

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