Harry Tolson Smith

Harry T. Smith
Harry Tolson Smith, 98, died December 25, 2025, in Bradenton, Florida. Born March 13, 1927, and raised in Philadelphia, he was the son of the late Albert and Mabel (Brown) Smith, and the fifth of six children who all predeceased him: Albert Jr., William, Margaret, Sarah Wendler and Mary Rowan. Harry attended Roxborough High School and graduated from Temple University High School before serving two years in the Army during World War II. After the war, he attended Temple University and Drexel University. Harry married the girl next door, Elizabeth "Betsy" Bauer, in 1956 and together they set up housekeeping in West Norriton, Pennsylvania. There, they raised three children: Donna Miles of Annapolis, Maryland and Bradenton, Florida; Mark Smith of West Norriton and Reed Smith of Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania. Harry was a skilled union carpenter who joined the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners at age 20, constructing office buildings and numerous municipal projects. One of his most interesting challenges came during a year in Saudi Arabia, where he helped renovate King Faisal's historic palace. Harry applied his carpentry skills at home as well, designing and single-handedly building a major home addition, carport, garage, treehouse, patio and landscaping hardscape to the family home. He was an avid gardener who took pleasure in transforming his property into a suburban botanical oasis. He embraced life, applying his artistic flair in drawing and calligraphy, traveling, dancing, dabbling in wine making and piano playing and bicycling well into his 80s. Above all, he doted on his family and embraced time together. Harry was a man of deep faith, and he and Betsy were founding members of the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania. He served his church in many capacities from council member to usher to volunteer handyman and landscaper and remained an active member until moving to Florida to live closer to his daughter. Harry and Betsy took up residence in Bradenton in November 2024 and celebrated their 69th wedding anniversary together on June 2, 2025. In addition to his wife and children, Harry leaves behind a grandson, Kelana Smith, of Jakarta, Indonesia; and Melissa, Erica and Martin Smith of Pennsylvania. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, January 28 at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 132 E. Valley Forge Road, King of Prussia, PA 19406. The family will receive visitors beginning at 10 a.m. In lieu of flowers, please consider contributions in Harry's name to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church.
Brown & Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory 43rd Street Chapel, 604 43rd Street West, Bradenton, FL 34209, is in charge of arrangements.