Mark A. Smail

Mark A. Smail, 62, of Greensburg, died suddenly Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024, at Frick Hospital in Mt. Pleasant. Mark was the third-generation co-owner of the Smail Automotive Dealerships on Route 30 in Greensburg. He was a respected businessman in a community that valued the care and attention given to Smail customers, the employment opportunities provided to residents in Greensburg and the chance to philanthropically support multiple special causes such as the Magee-Women's Research Institute and Foundation, Westmoreland Food Bank, Troops First Foundation, the Westmoreland Cultural Trust and the Pittsburgh Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases. He was most proud of his immediate family members: wife of 35 years, Kelly (Carr); and his two children, daughter, Taylor, and son, Marcus. He is also survived by his mother, Ellen R. Smail (Leone); and his siblings, Kathy A. Johnson (Ronald) and Jeffrey D. Smail (Loni); and numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. He also loved being an AFS dad to Philly from France. Mark was preceded in death by his father, Clarence (Bud) Smail Jr. Mark graduated from Hempfield Area High School in 1980 and excelled in sports. He matriculated to the University of Pittsburgh Johnstown, where he obtained a degree in business administration. That education was a prelude to joining the family business with his father, grandfather and uncles, where he started to learn the workings of the automotive industry from the ground up over his 40 years at Smail Automotive. He has been recognized as a thoughtful leader in the auto industry and achieved multiple awards for leadership and dedication in an industry that is constantly changing. In 2021, the non-profit, Harrisburg based Pennsylvania Automotive Association awarded Mark Smail the Bud Smail Political Advocacy award, named after his father, for years of supporting PAA's legislative programs and fundraising efforts for PAA's political action committee. He was an active member of local and state auto associations including PAA, GPADA and FDAF. He served as an inspiration to both his children, who have followed him into the family business. Some people get older, Mark lived his life to the fullest, enjoying each day, each new person, each new experience. His friendships were legendary. His neighbors in youth, his teammates, his social acquaintances, were all on speed dial in his phone and he had pictures with every one of them as they worked and played together. He looked forward to telling everyone about his latest adventure, and his style made those stories come to life. He enjoyed long walks with his four-legged companions, Levi and Joe, to exercise them and stop to see people along the way. Mark loved spending time with friends and family in Muskoka, Canada, as well as the Florida Keys. He was an avid boatsmen and water skier. He also enjoyed snow skiing in the winter months. He loved to compete and celebrate both victory and defeat. Grief is a sure sign of love. Relatives and friends are invited to celebrate the life of Mark, from 1 to 4:30 and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday in the CLEMENT L. PANTALONE FUNEAL HOME INC., 409 W. Pittsburgh Street, Greensburg, PA 15601, 724-837-0020. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Friday in the Our Lady of Grace Church, Greensburg. Everyone please go directly to the Church. Private entombment will be in Mary, Mother of Mercy Mausoleum at St. Vincent, Latrobe. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Mark's name can be made to Paws Across Pittsburgh Animal Rescue, pawsacrosspittsburgh.com or the Pittsburgh Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases University of Pittsburgh; please make check out to PIND and mail to PIND, c/o MHSF, 3600 Forbes Ave., Suite 8084, Pittsburgh, PA 15213. Mark's family has entrusted his care to the Pantalone Funeral Home Inc., Greensburg. For online condolences/ directions, visit us at pantalone.com. Natale N. Pantalone, supervisor.