Name: Celebration of Life for Francis Joseph Smith
Start: 2018-01-28T01:00:00.000Z
End: 2018-01-28T05:00:00.000Z
Location: The Pedro Point Firehouse

Francis Joseph Smith

Redding, CA

Francis "Frank" Joseph Smith of Redding passed away peacefully and surrounded by close family Monday, January 15, 2018, from complications related to Parkinson's disease. Frank was born August 25, 1936, in Philadelphia, PA, the second child of Rita Monica (McCormick) and Francis Aloysius Smith.

Frank is survived by his loving wife of nearly 20 years Mary Jean (Egyed) Smith; daughter and son in law Aloria and Doug Gorganus of Riverside, CA and their children Britney and Shawn; daughter and son in law Lyla and Bryan Reinero of Pacifica, CA and their children Nicoletta, Veronica and Francesca; son Aaron; sister Teresa Murdock; nieces Teresa Scroppo, Coleen Coyne, and Francine Sweeney; and his beloved dog Velma as well as countless friends and extended family.

Frank was a graduate of St. Joseph's University in Philadelphia and received a Master's Degree in Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania. However, it was music that was Frank's true calling and he was an accomplished woodwind musician (saxophone, flute, and clarinet) on the Free Jazz scene in New York City in the late 1960's and early 70's, playing alongside such luminaries as Ornette Coleman.

After traveling back and forth between San Francisco, CA and the East Coast, Frank and his second wife Antonia "Toni" Julia (Nixon) settled with their small family in San Francisco in September 1973. Toni died unexpectedly shortly thereafter. Frank stayed strong through this tragedy and found the means to raise his two younger children on his own as a single parent, an accomplishment of which he was rightfully very proud.

Frank and Mary Jean's "how we met" story is one for the ages. She was working as real estate appraiser and was assigned to do a valuation for Frank's home in San Francisco. Frank, not known for being an early riser, answered the door in his well-worn bathrobe and bright red-winged sunglasses. Love at first sight?? In any event, she didn't run away screaming and the rest, as they say, is history.

Frank and Mary Jean were married May 3, 1998, in Olema, CA and they settled in Redding in 2002. Together, they enjoyed dining out, attending cultural events and taking road trips.

A celebration of Frank's life will be held Saturday, January 27, 2018, 5-9pm at The Pedro Point Firehouse in Pacifica, CA. Those interested in attending the event, please RSVP: [email protected]

There will be an interment ceremony on Friday, February 16, 2018, 10am at Redding Memorial Park, 1201 Continental St., Redding, CA 96001.

In lieu of flowers, Frank would have wished for a memorial donation to the Haven Humane Society in Anderson.

Please sign the guest book at

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/redding/

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Redding Record Searchlight on Jan. 20, 2018.

Memories and Condolences
for Francis Smith

5 Entries

Claude Palmer

January 14, 2022

Frank was a great mentor. When we first met he was fresh from the loss of his wife, doing his best with two beautiful, blonde children.
Frank was very serious and very straight-up. As a musician he had high standards, yet he played with our little group- perhaps because we adored him and his history- he told great stories when we'd pause in the music, like about the time he stood talking to Charlie Parker as Bird sat in the back of a cab eating fried chicken- and throwing the bones at the cab driver, who was interrupting Bird's rap!
In '95, I came back from India where I had visited the home of Meher Baba, Frank's spiritual guide. Frank set up some gigs & took me along to Rainbow Grocery & some other dates. I'll always remember his house on the hill; the great music, food, stories, children, and spirit.
Thank you, my friend.
"In the midst of the ocean there's a pearl..."

Karen Dewald & Dave Miotke

January 23, 2021

Frank loved his cats as well as his dog. He was a very good-hearted man and we stayed with him for a few days at his Redding home. We will remember him always.

A great inspiration: Meher Baba

Claude Palmer

July 1, 2019

I met Frank in San Francisco, visiting his high house and learning music, spiritual sanity, and Irish lore. He was an outsider in the "free music" scene, but a couple of us gladly followed his lead as players because he had a rare & deep authority. We heard his tales of NYC and spiritual experience with Avatar Meher Baba. Lyla & Aaron worked down the street from me and I loved seeing them grow.
I played at the Olema wedding and only spoke a few times after that. Yet he's here in me always.
I'll see you in the Isles of the Blest, Francis, and may the angels grace me some of the peace you so well deserve.
"In the depths of the ocean there's a pearl..."

March 4, 2018

Frank was one-of-a-kind. He had an indomitable spirit and will be missed. We loved Frank and our thoughts and prayers go out to his family. Godspeed, Frank.

Marty Cook

January 22, 2018

the first time I met Frank was in the Summer of 1966 watching a movie that Joel Meltz was showing on the roof of the building I lived in in NYC (5th st. btw. A and B) when he found out I played trombone, he invited me to a rehearsal and after the rehearsal, invited me to play at the gig he was doing at the Lovebeast festival at the East Village Theater. the other groups on the bill were Archie Shepp and Albert Ayler. Frank and I became close friends - I lived with him and Toni in San Francisco in 1967 - the great bassist Henry also lived with us for a time. Frank was trying to get a new band together, but it never quite worked out. The last time I talked to him was when he called me after Toni's death. When I knew him he was passionate about life and passionate about the music. I met many of the people who were important for me in those early years partly through Frank. Marzette, Laurence Cook, Byard Lancaster, Roswell, Jack Gregg, Randy Kaye, Steve Tintweiss...and of course, we had some out times together. Frank was always warm-hearted and giving. My time with him has played an important role in my musical journey. I'm glad that he was on the planet and sorry to hear he's gone.
Marty Cook

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