Richard "Dick" V. Smith

Richard “Dick” Smith was born July 9^th, 1937 and passed away September 20^th, 2022.

He is survived by his wife, Maureen (nee Daly), his daughter Kara (Andrew) Cumiskey, his sons Richard (Dan) Smith and Bart (Sarabeth) Smith, his six grandchildren, Drew, Kelsey, Celia, Nate, Keane, and Declan, and his thirty-three nieces and nephews. He is at rest with his parents, Mary Margaret Morris and Vincent Paul Smith and his brothers, Tom, Vince, Joe, Don, Gerry, and his twin brother Bobby.

He passed after battling cancer for six years with indomitable strength. Through surgery, chemotherapy and immunotherapy, he continued to play golf, celebrate a drink with friends, cheer at Eagles games, and spend time down the Shore with his friends and family. In 2017 he was named the honoree of the Philadelphia Coaches vs. Cancer Gala at the Bellevue, while still fighting the disease himself.

Dick went to Saint Helena’s school in Olney and was inducted into the Parish’s Hall of Fame. He attended North Catholic High School and received his Bachelor’s from St. Joseph’s University, where he later became president of the Alumni Association. He earned his law degree from the University of Baltimore and worked at Penn Valve and Fittings Co. for many years before starting his own business, RVS controls, which then became Eastern Controls. Later he changed careers and published South Jersey magazine for ten years. Dick was also a nearly fifty-year member of the Overbrook Golf Club. He was immensely proud to serve as Overbrook President for two years, and his “Golf News” section of the monthly newsletter was eagerly anticipated for decades (even though he rarely made the publication deadline.)

Most thought Dick’s real job title was “the ticket guy.” If you needed tickets to anything — any game, show, or concert — he could get them. Over the years he amassed hundreds of season tickets for the Eagles, scores of Phillies season tickets, two suites at the Vet and one at the Spectrum. He certainly didn’t run it like a business. Some years he made a little profit and others less so. Still, he loved his “mobile office” — a briefcase full of game tickets to give to friends — and he carried it with him for decades.

He did everything with fiery enthusiasm. He was an Eagles fan, a St. Joe's Hawk fan, a Phillies fan, an avid golfer, and was Chairman of the Ramsay Golf Outing. He especially loved basketball — he attended nearly every Big 5 game for decades, and the Palestra was his second home. Dick also loved to coach; he was an honors member of a fraternity of basketball coaches and was a mentor to countless players. He coached the legendary Green Parrot summer league team and told stories of their exploits for decades.

Dick was a friend to many and a stranger to few. He had legions of friends from all walks of life, and he loved every one of them dearly. He never forgot a face and would recognize “old friends” nearly everywhere he went, and he “knew a guy” who could help you with anything. He loved entertaining for his many friends and family, where he was always ready to pour a drink and tell a good story, with a little Irish exaggeration thrown in. He was proud to have grown up in a full house, as the “sixth of seven sons,” and all his favorite stories were tales of their exploits. When his children and grandchildren sang Happy Birthday he always insisted they add to the end; “and he lived down in our alley,” the way he and his brothers always had.

The service for Dick will be Monday October 10^th, 2022 at 10:30am at the Chapel of Saint Joseph’s on Saint Joseph’s University’s campus. There will be a reception to follow at Overbrook Golf Club. All are welcome and encouraged to attend the service and the reception. The service will be livestreamed, starting at 10:30 AM at https://youtu.be/VDCXgmevNiA 

PARKING for the Chapel of St. Joseph: Guests may park in the available spaces of the Sourin Lot off Cardinal Avenue. During the academic school year, however, these spaces may be limited. Street parking on Cardinal Avenue, Wynnefield Avenue and the surrounding streets may also be used.  Parking for elderly/disabled guests may be arranged through the Funeral Coordinator.