Ollie W. Smith

Ollie W. Smith Jr. was born on December 2, 1940 to the late Ollie Sr. and Mattie Smith in Elizabeth, New Jersey. Ollie was affectionately called “Junior” and "Smitty". He was the older brother to his beloved sister Judy Smith.

During his earliest years Ollie's family resided in the Bronx, New York. They were active members of Bethel Temple Church where he served as choir member. At the early age of nine the family moved to Brooklyn, NY where Ollie attended Boys High School. He loved sports especially basketball and was an integral part of various teams and leagues that played all year round.

After graduating high school, he attended Wagner College in Staten Island, NY where he perfected his basketball skills and helped his team win many championships. Ollie 's skills did not go unnoticed; the New York Post once noted him as a "smoothie under the boards " and was one of the reasons the” Fishers Boys Club” was ranked as the best PSAL team in town. Ollie played alongside some talented players. He could have really gone far but was hampered by multiple knee injuries which halted his NBA hopes.

In August 1960, he married Ethel McCants and from that union two daughters Sharon Gaynell and Elaine Jeannette were born.

Ollie worked at the U.S Postal Service after attending Wagner College. In the late 1960’s he began his career at Photo Lettering Inc. where for two decades until the closure of the business. That is where his love of photography was forged. Whenever you saw Ollie, you saw a camera in his hand.

His third career was in sales focusing on multilevel marketing businesses and PC Richards. He was not just a salesman he was a “leader in salesmanship”. He excelled in his career because he was a dynamo in the field due to his charismatic, knowledgeable and persuasive manner.

In June 1992, Ollie married Lorna Crumbly and became stepfather to Lorna, Arthur and Damon.

Although his passion for sports never faltered, Ollie kept his athletic build by running track and bicycling throughout the NYC boroughs. An imposing 6"3, he was a quiet giant rarely raising his voice or intimidating others based on his stature. Ollie was understanding, thoughtful, inquisitive, a peace maker and well-informed on various topics. He also enjoyed listening to music, gardening, watching CNN and westerns and his new past time was interacting on Instagram.

Due to his medical challenges, he became a resident of Friedwald Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing in 2015. The team lovingly called Ollie “The Mayor.”

Ollie W Smith Jr. (Smitty) departed his life to be with the lord on Tuesday, May 18th, 2021. He leaves to cherish his memory: two daughters Sharon Ware and Elaine Smith, one son in law Craig Ware, sister Judy Smith, step children- Lorna Finch, Arthur Finch, Damon Finch; two grandchildren: Jodanna Finch and Anescia Williams Finch, great grandchildren: Jozie, Jayde and Denzel, dear friend, Ethel Smith and best friend Lorna Crumbly and a host of loving family and friends.