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John Smith
1944 - 2025
BORN
1944
DIED
2025
John Smith Obituary
John Smith
March 4, 1944 - November 10, 2025
On November 10, 2025, we said goodbye to our John Smith, aka Otto or Johnny Boy, an incredible Dad, Husband, Brother, Uncle, Grandfather and Friend. He was 81. John David Smith was born in Yonkers, NY, to John and Jean Smith. He was the middle son of three brothers, Jerry and Earl Smith.
John is survived by his wife and best friend of 61 years, Margaret "Peggy" Smith. He is survived by three children: Joseph Smith (Lynn), Audra Smith, and Shiloh McClaning (Christopher); as well as grandchildren, Kristal, Kellie, Jordan (Nate), Shea, Abbey and Cameron (Haley). Many great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews; and three cats, Teetee, Onyx and Gracie.
Witty with a mischievous grin, John had a good-natured way about him. When you were not paying attention, he might swipe a cookie or two. He thrived when helping others, whether it be delivering food baskets or teaching his kids to drive. He was kind and endlessly patient. His love and encouragement guided his family. His humility and sense of humor put people at ease. He was quick to offer a kind word. He taught us that gratitude was central to happiness.
John was a gentle child, but his mother had her hands full with the three Smith boys roaming Yonkers. It was rumored that they might've skipped school occasionally. While he was a student at Cardinal Hayes High School, John met Peggy on the "Boat to Rockaway." Peggy admits that she was the pursuer. After courting for five years, they were married in Yonkers. They were so young! John worked for the phone company and mom was a hairdresser. They were devoted to each other and busy raising the littles. After the New York Blizzards of 1977 and 1978, they had had enough of the cold. They moved their family to Richmond, Virginia. It was an adventure!
Once settled in Virginia, John started his own business. He loved owning a family business and teaching Joe the trade brought John great joy. John was a thoughtful teacher, encouraging Joe every step of the way. They spent many days working together and playing golf together. Hopefully more time golfing.
John's friendship with his younger brother Earl brought him big belly laughs. They would talk on the phone before starting their day. Before cell phones, these two would laugh it up on the landlines. Earl in Yonkers and Dad in Richmond, they stayed connected.
As the kids grew up, John and Peg were lifelong parishioners of St. John's Catholic Church. He served in the Men's council, taught Sunday school, and volunteered at church events. He helped a friend convert to Catholicism. He found peace in his Faith in God.
John loved learning, especially about American history. Taking the kids to museums, battlefields and historical sites to honor those who served our country was deeply important. Meeting the Yonkers family at Gettysburg for family vacations was common. The Smith brothers were united again! The kids were not as excited to be on battlefields for vacations. Later in life, John was delighted to spend summer vacations with his grandkids at Emerald Isle. What a life!
He was a calm and well-respected baseball coach. He attended sports games, swim meets, birthdays, broken hearts, etc. Never too tired to play checkers or Rummy 500. He would laugh as he went back out in the yard, for just "one more game of catch."
He loved baseball, music from the 1960s, history, hockey, reading, golf, old Jimmy Stewart movies, cookies and most of all, Peg. The children were mortified by their parents matching t-shirts "Otto loves Peg" and "Peg loves Otto." He rarely complained or made a fuss. He was grateful for every joy in his life, both large and small. He was practical and reasonable, the perfect balance to Peggy's whimsical artistry. Being a part of such an incredible man's life brings us comfort. We are grateful that John was our dad. We would like to thank the excellent care he received at Autumn Care and At Home Hospice. Dad was treated like a beloved family member by too many nurses and staff to count.
A Funeral Mass will be held on November 29, 2025 at 11 am at St John's Catholic Church in Richmond, Virginia, with reception to follow.
Nelsen Richmond
March 4, 1944 - November 10, 2025
On November 10, 2025, we said goodbye to our John Smith, aka Otto or Johnny Boy, an incredible Dad, Husband, Brother, Uncle, Grandfather and Friend. He was 81. John David Smith was born in Yonkers, NY, to John and Jean Smith. He was the middle son of three brothers, Jerry and Earl Smith.
John is survived by his wife and best friend of 61 years, Margaret "Peggy" Smith. He is survived by three children: Joseph Smith (Lynn), Audra Smith, and Shiloh McClaning (Christopher); as well as grandchildren, Kristal, Kellie, Jordan (Nate), Shea, Abbey and Cameron (Haley). Many great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews; and three cats, Teetee, Onyx and Gracie.
Witty with a mischievous grin, John had a good-natured way about him. When you were not paying attention, he might swipe a cookie or two. He thrived when helping others, whether it be delivering food baskets or teaching his kids to drive. He was kind and endlessly patient. His love and encouragement guided his family. His humility and sense of humor put people at ease. He was quick to offer a kind word. He taught us that gratitude was central to happiness.
John was a gentle child, but his mother had her hands full with the three Smith boys roaming Yonkers. It was rumored that they might've skipped school occasionally. While he was a student at Cardinal Hayes High School, John met Peggy on the "Boat to Rockaway." Peggy admits that she was the pursuer. After courting for five years, they were married in Yonkers. They were so young! John worked for the phone company and mom was a hairdresser. They were devoted to each other and busy raising the littles. After the New York Blizzards of 1977 and 1978, they had had enough of the cold. They moved their family to Richmond, Virginia. It was an adventure!
Once settled in Virginia, John started his own business. He loved owning a family business and teaching Joe the trade brought John great joy. John was a thoughtful teacher, encouraging Joe every step of the way. They spent many days working together and playing golf together. Hopefully more time golfing.
John's friendship with his younger brother Earl brought him big belly laughs. They would talk on the phone before starting their day. Before cell phones, these two would laugh it up on the landlines. Earl in Yonkers and Dad in Richmond, they stayed connected.
As the kids grew up, John and Peg were lifelong parishioners of St. John's Catholic Church. He served in the Men's council, taught Sunday school, and volunteered at church events. He helped a friend convert to Catholicism. He found peace in his Faith in God.
John loved learning, especially about American history. Taking the kids to museums, battlefields and historical sites to honor those who served our country was deeply important. Meeting the Yonkers family at Gettysburg for family vacations was common. The Smith brothers were united again! The kids were not as excited to be on battlefields for vacations. Later in life, John was delighted to spend summer vacations with his grandkids at Emerald Isle. What a life!
He was a calm and well-respected baseball coach. He attended sports games, swim meets, birthdays, broken hearts, etc. Never too tired to play checkers or Rummy 500. He would laugh as he went back out in the yard, for just "one more game of catch."
He loved baseball, music from the 1960s, history, hockey, reading, golf, old Jimmy Stewart movies, cookies and most of all, Peg. The children were mortified by their parents matching t-shirts "Otto loves Peg" and "Peg loves Otto." He rarely complained or made a fuss. He was grateful for every joy in his life, both large and small. He was practical and reasonable, the perfect balance to Peggy's whimsical artistry. Being a part of such an incredible man's life brings us comfort. We are grateful that John was our dad. We would like to thank the excellent care he received at Autumn Care and At Home Hospice. Dad was treated like a beloved family member by too many nurses and staff to count.
A Funeral Mass will be held on November 29, 2025 at 11 am at St John's Catholic Church in Richmond, Virginia, with reception to follow.
Nelsen Richmond
Published by Richmond Times-Dispatch on Nov. 23, 2025.
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