Gregory Whitmer Smith, 66, beloved husband, father, brother, uncle, grandfather and friend went to be with the Lord on Thursday, February 25, 2016, in Virginia Beach.
He was born on July 23, 1949, in Dumont, N.J., to Julius (Bill) and Joyce Smith. Greg graduated from Baldwin Wallace College with a B.A. in business administration, and then went on to earn another bachelor’s degree in transportation from St. John’s University and a master’s degree in human resources from George Washington University. After college, he was a National Guard volunteer for eight years. Greg worked for Atlantic Container Line (ACL) for 33 years before retiring in 2006.
After ACL moved Greg to Virginia in the 1980’s, Greg met the love of his life, Kathryn, and they were married for 29 years. They were blessed with four children, Nathaniel (Nate), Travis, Kathryn (Katie) and Zachary. Nate and his wife, Kate, gave Greg and Kathryn two beautiful grandchildren, Camden James and Sydney Mae Smith.
Greg is also survived by his brother, David Smith of Fort Myers, Fla.; his daughter, Carrie, and her husband, Chad Gorn, and their daughter, Rosie; brother, Peter, and his wife, Laura Smith, and their children, Sara, Emily and Matthew, of Dumont, N.J.; brother-in-law, Chris, and his wife, Karla Summerrow, and their children, Chelsey, Preston and Rachel, of Alpharetta, Ga.; as well as many friends. Steve Erikson is a longtime friend who was especially faithful in challenging Greg to fight the effects of his Parkinson’s Disease.
Greg was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease at 51 years old. He was an inspiration to all who knew him because he refused to allow the disease to define him. He was involved with the local Parkinson’s Support Group, serving as a past president and board member. After his death, his brain was donated to Parkinson’s research at the University of Maryland. His greatest hope was that his donation might help find a cure for this crippling disease.
Greg loved God, his family, bowling, the Redskins and especially the Yankees. Watching the Redskins or the Yankees play a game while eating Lay’s potato chips, drinking a Coke and screaming with his sons when the team scored was one of his favorite activities. He loved deeply, forgave easily and was a loyal and faithful father, friend and husband. Although his passing causes deep grief, his family rejoices that he is no longer in pain and is free from the horrible effects of Parkinson’s Disease.
A memorial service celebrating his life will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 5, at H.D. Oliver Funeral Home, 2002 Laskin Road.
In Lieu of flowers, please make donations to the National Parkinson’s Foundation or Virginia Beach Volunteer Rescue Squad in the memory of Gregory Smith.
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