Gerald E. C. Smith

YOE - With his family by his side, Gerald E. C. "Jerry" Smith, 94, passed away at 4:00 a.m. Wednesday, May 21, 2008 at York Hospital following complications of a fall at his home. He was the husband of Sara S. "Dolly" (Neff) Smith, his wife of 57 years, who died March 25, 1994. A service celebrating Mr. Smith's life will be 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, May 27 at Life Tributes by Olewiler & Heffner Funeral Chapel & Crematory, 35 Gotham Place, Red Lion with his former pastor, the Rev. Joan Maruskin, officiating. Burial with military honors by the York County Veterans Honor Guard will be at Susquehanna Memorial Gardens. Viewing will be 1 to 2 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Mr. Smith was born January 12, 1914, in Windsor. He was the son of the late Ernest Clay and Martha (Majewski) Smith. At the age of four, following the death of his mother, he was raised by his grandparents, the late Frank and Wilhelmina Majewski, of Windsor. He is survived by his daughter, Joyce E. Fix and husband, Terry T. of Dallastown; a son, Dr. Jan G. Smith and wife, Dr. Wendy Selby-Smith of Australia; five grandchildren, Sydney C. Smith of Texas, Geoffrey S. Fix and Kirsten L. Fix, both of Red Lion; Trent Selby-Jones, Esquire & wife, Kelly of London, England and Renee Selby-Jones of Australia; two great grandchildren, J. Ryan Fix and Megan A. Fix; a sister, Dawn Pierce of Havana, FL; a brother, Donald S. Smith of York; nieces and nephews; and his special companion of 14 years, his beloved Dalmatian, Sparkle. He was preceded in death by a son, Lynn Eric Smith in 2003; a sister, Victoria Young; and a brother, Dennis R. Smith. He served with the US Marine Corps from 1934 to 1938 and was discharged with the rank of Sergeant. During his military career he served as an orderly for Rear Admiral W. T. Cluverius, U.S.N., who was Commandant of the Philadelphia Naval Yard. Between 1936 and 1937 he was part of a security detail stationed at Lakehurst, NJ for the Hindenburg landings and was placed on guard duty immediately following the disaster of May 6, 1937. After his discharge from the Marine Corps, Mr. Smith went to work for the York Safe and Lock Co. He then became employed by the former Bowen McGlaughlin York (BMY), now BAE Systems, until his retirement in 1980 after 31 years of service. During that time he worked in the Engineering Dept. and as a supervisor, he was an integral part of the design and build process for the famous M-88 Full Track Recovery Vehicle. In 1996 the company invited him back to participate in the roll-out of the newer M88A2 Hercules prototype. In the late 1930's new Boy Scout Troups were being chartered and Mr. Smith was one of the first Scout Leaders of Troup 53, chartered in Yoe, and served in that capacity for 14 years. When York County established the Fire Police Association, he became the first Captain of the Fire Police Organization of the Yoe Fire Co. He was a Charter Member of the former Yoe Lions Club and served as the club's President in 1956. He also served on the local Borough Council as well as the Dallastown-Yoe Water Authority. Mr. Smith had been an active member of Christ United Methodist Church of Yoe for 70 years; was a life member of the Yoe Fire Co.; the Yoe Ambulance Service; was a member of the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation; the First Capital detachment of the Marine Corps League; the Republican National Committee; the Republican State Committee; and the NRA. In 2003 Gov. Ed Rendell inducted him into the Pennsylvania Voter Hall of Fame for having demonstrated commitment to Democracy by voting consecutively at every November election for the previous 50 years. Memorial contributions may be made to Christ United Methodist Church, 81 North Main St., Yoe, PA 17313 or the Yoe Ambulance Service, P.O. Box 485, Dallastown, PA 17313 or a charity of your choice.