H Victor “Vic” Smith Jr.

H Victor “Vic” Smith Jr. passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 15, 2014 at Samaritin Hospice.

If there was a perfect father to have, Vic was it. He marched to his own beat and supplied that beat himself. He played saxophone with the Riverside, Ocean County and Crescent Shrine string bands. He was a member of the Crescent Shrine over 40 years, Burlington Masonic Lodge #32 for 55 years, and the Excelsior Consistory of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite. Vic fought for our freedoms in the European Theatre and was wounded during the Battle of the Bulge and was awarded the Purple Heart. His TV was hardly ever on but if it was you’d find the Phils, Eagles and Flyers. If it swam Vic tried to catch it; he loved salt water fishing the most. He could build anything, but dont ask him to paint it. In his workshop Vic made everything from adirondak chairs to decorative wheelbarrels; he even built his own home. Regardless the time, he figured it was happy hour somewhere and he was always glad to be bartender. His summers were spent in his pool with baby Alexis.

He is predeceased by his loving wife of 56 years, Melva (Casciella) Smith; and his brother, Robert L. Smith.

He is survived by two daughters, Nancy (Jeffrey) Ridgway and Cheryl DeBarber, and was blessed with three granddaughters: the late Renee’ Anderson, Cindy (Brad) Hutchison and Christy (Garry) Red; and five great-grandchildren: Emily and Tom Hutchison, Kiana and Colby Red, and Alexis Anderson; two nieces, Alissa (Kevin) Rorer and Marsha Rodan; and one nephew, Robbie (Lisa) Smith and the love of his life, Maggie Singer; they traveled the world.

Come celebrate 91 wonderful years Tuesday 6-8 p.m. and Wednesday 10-11 a.m. at Sweeney Funeral Home, Beverly, where there will be a service at 11. Interment Monument Cemetery, Beverly. Donations in lieu of flowers to Crescent Shrine, 700 Highland Drive, Westamptom NJ 08060.