Obituary of John R. Smith Sr.

John R. Smith Sr., age 81 of Linwood, PA passed away on September 29, 2022 at Lankenau Hospital. Born in Philadelphia and raised in the Fishtown section of Philadelphia, John has resided in Linwood for 55 years. John worked in HVAC for the University of Penn for 40 years, retiring in 2007. He attended the Chester Upland Adult Program for HVAC and went on to teach the same program later in life. For the past 35 years, he was employed concurrently as an instructor of HVAC at DCIU, IUOE Local 835 and DCCC through the Spring 2022 semester. In addition, John was a partner in Smith Environmental Control Service. John was a member of Holy Rosary Catholic Church and a former member of Holy Saviour Catholic Church. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and going to the Jersey shore. In addition to his parents, George W. and Emma Dean Smith, John is preceded in death by his son, Michael P. Smith, EMFM who passed in 1984, and 5 siblings, Emma Kissling, Lois "Pat" Dougherty, Jean Ubele, George Smith, and Harold Smith. He is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Irene Smith, son, John R. (Dawn) Smith Jr., brother, Frank Smith, grandchildren, Teresa (Kyle) Rotan and Christopher Smith, and a great granddaughter who is on her way. A visitation will be held on Thursday, October 6, from 9:45-10:45AM at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 3200 Philadelphia Pike, Claymont, DE followed by a Funeral Mass at 11AM. Interment, will follow at  Lawn Croft Cemetery, Linwood, PA. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.paganofuneralhome.com.