Jack Hurley Smith

1919 - 2015

JACK HURLEY SMITH April 12th, 1919 to December 14, 2015 Born in Salt Lake City, Utah on April 12, 1919. Jack was preceded in death by his his wife of 62 years Jean Quinette Smith; father Leo O'Conner Byrne; his mother Elizabeth Hurley; and his sister Marion. Jack, who was known by family and friends as "Snuffy", is survived by his daughter Jan Elizabeth Smith; son David Quinette Smith; four grandsons Eric (27), Riley (23), Jake (21), Hayden (13); and great grand-daughter Eleanore (18 months). His birth parents separated at a very early age (2) and his mother Elizabeth remarried Frank Smith. He had a colorful childhood during the great Depression living in Chicago and Redondo Beach , CA where he learned to love the ocean and fishing, and finally settled in Denver Colorado. He ultimately lived with Frank's mother Bertha who he fondly remembered as "Grandma." Bertha's son Louis and his wife Hazel were extremely close to Jack as he matured as an adult and he thought of "The Smiths" as his family. At the age of 18 he changed his last name from Byrne to Smith. Louis and Hazel had a daughter Beverly and a son Wayne who Jack considered to be his sister and brother. Jack was the first in his family to go to college enrolling at Colorado College where he played Hockey and excelled in baseball. In 1942 he enlisted in the Army Air Force, trained as a B-17 pilot in Bakersfield, California and arrived in Bury Saint Edmunds, England in September of 1943. He was given the nickname "Snuffy" Smith prior to flying his first mission in a B-17 Flying Fortress. His bomb group was the third to successfully fly 25 missions over Germany. The rare distinction of completing 25 missions earned him membership in the "Lucky Bastards Club." He returned to Denver to a hero's welcome and continued to serve honorably until June 1945 when the war had ended. "Snuffy" returned to college attending Colorado University (Boulder, Colorado), studied Economics, and played Division 1 Baseball. Most importantly while attending school he met his beautiful future wife Jean Quinette who he married in 1950. Later that year, they moved to Lompoc, California where "Snuffy" taught school and they fished often on the Central Coast. In 1952, Jean and "Snuffy" moved to Riverside, California to start their family. Snuffy was a beloved teacher at Riverside Poly High for twenty-fours, retiring in 1976. Jean & Snuffy spent many wonderful summers at their family cabin at Lake Granby, Colorado with their children (Jan & Dave), their spouses (Tom & Leigh Ann), grandchildren, and many family friends. They both shared a mutual love for the outdoors, fishing, golf, sporting events, and spending time with family and friends. Snuffy was loved deeply by Jean, his family and friends. Special thanks to those who took special care of him during his final days at his home in Riverside where he passed under hospice care. A Memorial Service will be held at All Saints Church (3847 Terracina Drive, Riverside, CA 92506) at 11:30am on Friday, January 22nd. A Celebration (Remembrance) of Jack's life will be held afterward at the Victoria Club.