Paul J. Smail

1919 - 04

Paul J. Smail, 95, formerly of Unity Township, died Thursday, Oct. 23, 2014, at Greensburg Care Center, Hempfield Township. He was born April 14, 1919, in Southwest, a son of the late Andrew and Mary (Komar) Smail. Paul was a proud Army Air Corps veteran of World War II and, prior to retirement, worked as a carpenter at Latrobe Steel. He was a member of St. Cecilia Catholic Church, Whitney, and American Legion Post No. 982, Pipetown, and was vice president of the Greensburg Care Center Resident Council. He was an avid birdwatcher and animal lover. He was also known for the gentle, sincere warmth that he shared with anyone he encountered. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 71 years, Anne L. (Grohal) Smail; a daughter, Carol S. Palaika, in 2001; a brother, Thomas Smail; and a sister, Dorothy Smail. Paul is survived by a daughter, Phyllis Yesh and husband, Frank C., of Greensburg; his son, Paul S. "Bud" Smail and fiancee, Virginia Vayda, of Latrobe; a grandson, John Thomas Palaika, of Latrobe; a granddaughter, Annie (Palaika) Brandt and husband, Jason, of Greensburg; a son-in-law, Dr. John S. Palaika, of Latrobe; a brother, Andrew Smail, of Mt. Pleasant; two sisters, Elizabeth Lessick, of East Lake, Ohio, and Catherine Opalinski, of Scottdale; numerous relatives; and many loyal friends. Friends will be received from 3 to 7 p.m. Sunday at the GAUT-BACHA FUNERAL HOME INC., 2072 Route 130, Pleasant Unity. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Monday in St. Cecilia Catholic Church, Whitney, with the Rev. Peter Augustine Pierjok, OSB, as celebrant. Please go directly to the church. Private inurnment in St. Clair Cemetery, Hempfield Township. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Paul's name to the Activity Department (garden fund) of Greensburg Care Center, 119 Industrial Park Road, Greensburg, PA 15601. The family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to everyone at Greensburg Care Center for loving him and making him a part of their family. http://www.gaut-bachafuneralhomeinc.com.