Kenneth J. Smail

1940 - 2021

Kenneth J. Smail, 81, of Kittanning, passed away Monday, Dec. 6, 2021, at ACMH Hospital in East Franklin Township, from a non Covid related illness.

He was born Jan. 12, 1940, in Leechburg, to the late Blair and Velda Smail. Kenneth was a lifelong resident of the area and a retired telephone worker.

He is a member of St. Mary Our Lady of Guadalupe Roman Catholic Church in Kittanning. He also has membership in the Pine Creek Sportsman's Club, Kittanning Eagles and the Knights of Columbus. He enjoyed hunting, bowling and exercising at the YMCA.

Kenneth is survived by his daughter, Cindy Lockwood, of Beaumont, Texas; two sons, Craig Smail and his wife, Donna, of Middleboro, Mass., and Dave Smail and his wife, Jean, of Odenton, Md.; sister, Donna Miller, of Ford Cliff; companion, Dorothy Picardi, of Kittanning; step daughter, Kayla Cornish Stull, of Kittanning; grandson, Christopher Price, of Houston, Texas; grandson, Evan Smail, of Salt Lake City, Utah; granddaughter, Micah Ryan, of Beaumont, Texas; granddaughter, Lauren Mani, of Greensboro, N.C.; grandsons: C.J. Munroe, of Middleboro, Mass.; Luke Stull, of Kittanning and Max Stull, of Kittanning; great-granddaughter, Emmaleigh Munroe, of Middleboro, Mass.; and great-grandson, Curtis Munroe, of Middleboro, Mass.

In addition to his parents, Blair and Velda Smail; he was preceded in death by his wife, Theresa Smail; a sister, Wilma Stewart; and brothers-in-law, Delbert Miller and William Stewart.

Ken always put his family first, becoming a father and joining the workforce at a very young age. He loved visiting with, and helping his telephone customers. In addition to his telephone company job, he was always volunteering to do handyman jobs for friends and relatives, and he could fix, repair, or build just about anything. Decades ago, he helped professionals dig out and build a basement under his hundred year old farm house. Years later, he purchased several heavy construction pieces of equipment and set about changing the landscape of his property. There was never a time when he was not busy taking care of his family, his small farm and his many friends. Ken also displayed his deep love for his wife, Theresa, attending to her for more than 11 years after she was seriously injured in a car crash.

Although fighting health challenges himself, Ken, was able to travel to Texas, multiple times to attend the weddings of two of his grandchildren and to help his daughter move. He also traveled to Massachusetts, for his grandson's wedding.

Friends will be received from 2-5 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021, at the Snyder-Crissman Funeral Home, 200 S. McKean St., Kittanning.

Additional visitation will be from 10 a.m. Monday, Dec. 13, 2021, in the funeral home, until the time of parting prayers at 10:30 a.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. at St. Mary, Our Lady of Guadalupe Roman Catholic Church, , 101 High St., Kittanning with the Rev. Ronald Maquinana officiating.

Interment will be in St. Joseph Cemetery.

Ken was a proud supporter of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, so in lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to St. Jude's.

For more information or to express online condolences please visit: snydercrissman.com