George Arthur Smith

George Arthur SMITH 83, passed away peacefully of natural causes on February 15, 2010. Born July 6, 1926 on Nantucket Island, Massachusetts, his family moved shortly thereafter to Seattle and he spent the rest of his life in the area. After graduating from Lincoln High School in 1944, he immediately enlisted in the Marine Corps. In May 1945 he earned a Purple Heart on Okinawa and was honorably discharged in May 1946. Returning to Seattle he married Joan Marie Germscheid on May 22, 1948. They were together 52 years until her passing in December 2000. They raised three children. His career with The Bon Marché began in 1942 and 49 years later he retired as Vice-President, Store Manager of the Redmond Furniture Gallery. In the 50's, he progressed through the buying offices working his way up to Divisional Merchandise Manager. His buying career included three consecutive years of 6 week buying trips to Europe representing Allied Stores, The Bon's parent company. In 1966 he was appointed Store Manager of the downtown Everett store. Two years later he took over the Northgate store and in 1972 he became Store Manager of the Downtown Seattle flagship store, a position he held for 14 years. George and Joan moved from Magnolia to the home they built on Mercer Island in 1962. They were active at St. Monica Parish for 43 years. For many of those years they both participated in the perpetual adoration program. Their children attended St. Monica's School. George and Joan loved to travel, often with friends and family. They greatly enjoyed their timeshare in Ramona, California. They enjoyed golf, belonging to Twin lakes Golf & C.C. followed by 27 years of Membership at Sahalee. He also belonged to the Washington Athletic Club, Mercer Island Country Club and was a Rotarian. They enjoyed bridge, spectator sports, and especially gatherings of family and friends with great food and fun. In 2005, George moved to Trilogy in Redmond, making new friends, attending St. Jude's and enjoyed living on the golf course even though he did not actually play golf anymore. Always the consummate gentleman, George was revered for his compassion for others, his manners, his positive outlook on life and his tremendous love for his family. He is survived by his son Craig, and wife Debbi, daughter Lori Egan and husband Tim, daughter Wende Kendig and husband Steve and four wonderful grandchildren, Jennifer Egan, Jeff Egan, Erin Kendig and Megan Kendig. A funeral mass in his honor will be held at 1 o'clock, Saturday, February 27, 2010 at St. Monica Parish on Mercer Island. A reception will follow in the parish's family center. Remembrances can be made to the Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, in his and Joan's honor, in recognition of the affliction that claimed his dear wife.