James J. Smart of Mayfair passed away peacefully on April 3, 2020 at home with family. He was 93.
Loving husband of 63 years to Marie E. Smart who passed just 3 weeks ago at age 87. Devoted father of James J. Jr. (Maryanne), William (Stacey), Maureen Crosby (James), Rita Marinari (Dominic), and Carol Schwab (Ryan). Loving grandfather of Anne Marie Kauler (Eric), Theresa Velasquez (Marty), Joseph Smart (Larissa), Catherine Hill (Jon), Marybeth Buesching (Juergen), J. Christopher Smart, Jennifer Smart, Lauren Smart, Kelly Delisi (Derek), Patricia Czyzewski (Korye), James Crosby, Katherine Ogin (Mat), Christina Marinari, Dominic Marinari, Erin Schwab, Alyssa Schwab and Ryan Schwab; great grandfather of 15. Loving brother to Nancy Chamberlain, the late Rita Waters, and the late William Smart.
Jim was good man, strong, proud, kind, honest, a true salt of the earth kind of guy. He was born March 23, 1927 to Mary and James Smart. He spent his early years in West Philadelphia where he helped care for is younger brother Bill, two sisters Rita and Nancy and cousin Joe who came to live with them at an early age. He attended and received his diploma in 1945 from St Thomas More HS (“St. Tommy forever More” were words that Jim spoke often) He enlisted in the US Navy in May 1945, during World War II. He was honorably discharged in August 1946 and returned home to West Philadelphia where he took advantage of the GI bill, enrolled in a 2 year program and attended St Joseph’s University to continue his education.