Edward A. Smith "Smitty"

Edward Smith

Augusta, GA – Retired Master Sgt. (United States Army) Edward Andrew “Smitty” Smith, Sr., died Wednesday, December 26, 2012 at the Charlie Norwood Veterans Administration Hospital, Augusta, after a brief and sudden illness. He was 76.

A native of Bronx, New York, Mr. Smith was the son of the late Christopher James and Mary Bridget (Gargan) Smith. Upon graduation from St. Agnes High School, Mr. Smith worked in the accounting department of Bloomingdale’s Department store in Manhattan, where he met and married his beloved wife, Ruth E. (Vought) Smith. They were married at the Church of Sts. Peter and Paul on September 14, 1962. This year they celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary among family and friends.

Mr. Smith served 22 years in the U.S. Army, served a tour in the Vietnam War. He served as an instructor in the Chemical Corps.

Upon retirement from the U.S. Army, Mr. Smith worked for Georgia Power in security operations at Plant Vogtle in the Waynesboro, GA from there he worked several years with Communigraphics in North Augusta, S.C.

Mr. Smith was a faithful parishioner of St. Mary-on-the-Hill Catholic Church in Augusta, and was also a former member of St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Church in Columbia County. Mr. Smith was a charter member of the Knights of Columbus, Council 8435 Cardinal Terrance Cook. He achieved rank of Fourth-Degree Knight from Assembly 178, for which he was past Faithful Navigator, and for many years served proudly in the ceremonial Honor Guard. He was also a past District Deputy.

Mr. Smith’s civic memberships were numerous, many mirroring his national service. He was a member of the Jack C. Fortune American Legion Post No. 205 in Augusta and also a member of the Society of the 40/8 Voiture Locale 719 Georgia.

Proud of his Irish Heritage, Mr. Smith was ma member of the Ancient Order of the Hibernians, Richmond I Division in Augusta, where he held numerous offices, most currently Sentinel.

Survivors, in addition to his wife, include four children: daughter, Veronica Seaborn, Augusta; son, Edward Smith, Jr. , (Maureen), Omaha, NE.; daughter, Patricia Waggy, Tampa, FL; and son Seàn Patrick Smith, and his life partner, Philip Turkey, Murrells Inlet, SC.. In addition there are seven grandchildren, Peter Seaborn, Augusta, Lauren Seaborn, Seattle; Megan (Derr) Cox (Brandon), Augusta; Elizabeth Derr, Augusta; Ryan Waggy, Augusta; Krista Smith and Nicole Smith, Omaha, NE; and two great grandchildren, Chloe and Abigaill Cox, Augusta. In addition, there is Krystanna Bartocci, a beloved “adopted” granddaughter, Augusta. In addition, Mr. Smith is survived by his two older brothers, James Smith (Mary), and Christopher Smith, Jr. from California.

Pallbearers will be Paul Bertocci, Tom Howe, John Kemp, Bill Berry, Bill Holt and Michael Leonard. Honorary pallbearers are members of Knoght of Columbus, Ancient Order of the Hibernians and American Legion Post No. 205.

A vigil service will be held Friday evening beginning at 6:00 P.M.; the family will receive friends until 8:00 P.M. at Thomas Poteet & Son. A Funeral Mass will be held Saturday, December 29, 2012 t 11:00 A.M. at St. Mary-on-the-Hill Catholic Church with Fr. Gerald Ragan Celebrant. Burial will follow with full military honors at Sunset Memorial Gardens, Langley, SC.

In lieu of flowers, the family request that donations be made to: Knights of Columbus Pleasant Home Company, in care of Joe Kise, 3206 Bluff Court, Augusta, GA, 30907.

Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors, 214 Davis Rd., Augusta, GA 30907 (706) 364-8484. Please sign the guestbook at www.thomaspoteet.com