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Proclamation honoring the life, memory and legacy of Fred “Jay” Smith.
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WHEREAS, Allegheny County Council does hereby honor the life of the late Fred “Jay” Smith, a dedicated husband, father and veteran, who passed away on November 25, 2020 at age 94; and
WHEREAS, Jay was a devoted husband to his wife, Joy for 73 years and together they had many children, grandchildren and great grandchildren; and
WHEREAS, Jay served in the Navy during World War II. After the war, he attended Slippery Rock College and graduated in 1949 with a Physical Education Degree. While attending Slippery Rock College, Jay played basketball, baseball and football, and he received an all-state football honorable mention as tight end; and
WHEREAS, sports were a big part of Jay’s life. He played semi-pro sandlot baseball for several years, and managed and played for the F Jay Smith Blue Jays. At the end of his baseball career, Jay played tennis and paddle tennis, in which he received many accolades for his accomplishments; and
WHEREAS, for over 50 years, Jay owned a commercial painting company in Bethel Park that served customers all over the eastern United States; and
WHEREAS, before there were parks in Bethel Park, Jay built a lighted and paved basketball, volleyball and badminton court for the community’s kids. For over thirty years, hundreds of the area’s youth learned valuable lessons of sportsmanship and life on that court; and
WHEREAS, Jay was an active member of the Bethel Park Parks Commission, Toastmasters International and the Bethel Park Kiwanis Club where he served as president of the Club for a period; and
WHEREAS, Jay was a loving, caring husband and father. He was also gifted story teller, who had a passion for music;
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that I, Allegheny County Council Member Sam DeMarco, do hereby honor the life, memory and legacy of Fred “Jay” Smith, and I extend condolences to his family, friends and colleagues.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto caused the Seal of the County of Allegheny to be affixed this 25th day of November 2020.