Edward "Ed" Smith

Mar 16, 1929 -

June 14, 2020

Our Irish patriarch and life of the party, Edward "Ed" Joseph Smith, 91 of Douglassville, Pa., passed away peacefully at his home on Sunday, June 14, 2020, after a short illness and a very full life.

Born on March 16, 1929 - although ever the Irishman, he always said it was St. Patty's Day, March 17 - in Paterson, N.J., he was the oldest son of Nicholas Edward and Elizabeth Anne (Donnelly) Smith.

Ed served in the United States Marine Corps for 20 years, where he excelled in shooting and developed a love of guns, which he collected for more than 60 years.

In 1953, when he was stationed at Parris Island, S.C., he met and married his wife, Mary who was serving in the U.S. Navy. Ed and Mary had four daughters, and two sons and lived in Virginia, North Carolina, New Jersey and California while he was in the service. After retirement, the family moved to Missoula, Mont. In 1986, Ed and Mary moved to Anchorage, Alaska, where they enjoyed many of the sights offered by the 49th state until Mary's death in 1991.

Ed married his wife, Patricia Burry, in 1996 and spent the next 24 years exploring Alaska and traveling abroad and across the U.S. For three years, they were blessed to be foster parents to Steffan.

Ed was always ready to give a toast at a gathering, play cards or cribbage, or spoil his many grandchildren and great-grandchildren with ice cream at the local Dairy Queen.

In addition to his loving wife, Patricia, survivors include his daughters, Mary (John) Fields, Marie (Ron) Chandler, Bridget Cortez and Elizabeth (David) Baumstark; and sons, Edward (Paula) Smith and Patrick (Kerry Razza) Smith.

Ed is also survived by Suzanne, Douglas and John Burry, Melanie Smith; 25 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren - and counting!; three nieces; a nephew; two dear cousins; and his "brother in heart," Tom Ramondetta.

Besides his wife Mary, he was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Thomas; and his sons-in-law, Pat Callahan and Eric Cortez.

A non-traditional Irish Wake, a memorial service and interment with full military honors will be held in Missoula, at the Western Montana State Veteran's Cemetery at a later date. Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home Inc., West Reading, Pa., is honored to assist the Smith family. Condolences may be expressed at www.kuhnfuneralhomes.com.