James P. "Jim" Smith Sr.

James P. "Jim" Smith Sr., 91, of Herminie, died Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2018, in Excela Health Westmoreland Hospital, Greensburg. He was born July 23, 1927, in Herminie, son of the late Hugh J. Sr. and Lovina (Baughman) Smith. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Christina E. "Chris" (Johannes) Smith (2016); son, Randy Smith; granddaughter, Jennifer Strickland;  great-grandson, Michael Skrabski; and two brothers, Hugh J. "Sonny" Smith Jr. and John M. "Jack" Smith. Jim was an Army/Air Force veteran, having served during World War ll . Prior to his retirement, he was a salesman, having worked for Sears in Greensburg for many years. He was a member of St. Edward Church in Herminie and Sunshine Club; The Herminie VFW and Herminie VFD, Herminie Wendel Athletic Association and was President of Dutch Run Camp in Clinton County. He loved gardening, hunting and making wine for his family and friends. At the age of 91, he still enjoyed his two-mile morning walk, the same route he took since he was 50. He was very proud to have been one of the original founders of the Westmoreland County Food Bank food pantry held at the St. Edward Church Hall, for the past 35 years, and was currently still working every month, making sure all the families were taken care of. He did not want to see anyone go hungry. Jim is survived by his two sons, James P. (Patty) Smith Jr., of Wyano, and William T. (Susie) Smith, of Herminie; two daughters, Linda (Andrew) Corfont, of Waynesburg, and Kathy (Michael) Svac, of Chicago, Ill.; 12 grandchildren, Sheila Smith, Randy Smith, Bill (Leigh Ann) Smith, Molly (Aaron) Zahratka, Brandy Kennell, Tracy Gillespie, Bill Smith Jr., Alyssa (Daniel) Cunningham, Rachael Corfont, David (Chelsi) Svac, Brandon and A.J. Svac; and eight great-grandchildren, whom he loved dearly. Jim is also survived by his sister, Aurelia (Gary) Rapp, of Herminie; and sister-in-law, Helen Smith, of Irwin; and numerous nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews. Jim had a heart of gold and was truly loved by all who knew him; he was a kind and gentle man and will be dearly missed by his entire family, many friends and neighbors up on the hill. Friends will be received from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday and 2 to 8 p.m. Friday at the JOSEPH W. NICKELS FUNERAL HOME INC., 404 Sewickley Ave., Herminie, PA 15637, 724-446-7251. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 9 a.m. Saturday in St. Edward Church, Herminie. Please go directly to church. Private interment will be held in Westmoreland County Memorial Park, Hempfield Township. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Westmoreland County Food Bank, 100 Devonshire Drive, Delmont, PA 15626. To send online condolences, please visit www.nickelsfuneralhomeinc.com

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