Rodney J Smith

83, devoted husband, father, and grandfather passed away February 14, 2014. He is survived by Eleanor, his wife of 60 years, his grandchildren, Michael and Emily Metzner,of Orlando and Wellington, his son-in-law Fred Metzner of Wellington as well as cousins Mike Brown of Boynton Beach, Florida, and Eileen Koretski of Paucatuck, Connecticut. His loving daughter, Cheryl Anne Metzner passed away last May.

A 5th generation Babylonian, he was born January 19, 1931in Babylon, Long Island, New York. He attended Babylon High School, where he met Eleanor in their sophomore year. After graduating high school, Rod joined the Navy and served four years. While in the Navy, he married his high school sweetheart, El. Upon discharge from the Navy, he earned his degree in business at NYU.

He spent his entire career with Exxon Mobil in Florham Park, New Jersey, New York City, and Miami, Florida. He was assigned to Bogata, Columbia to help in the setting up of Productas Chemico- ESSO.

Rod retired in 1986 to Jupiter, Florida with Eleanor after 35 years with Exxon.

He loved the opera, gardening, boating, fishing, golf, and cruising with Eleanor. For his entire life he was an active volunteer. He was a volunteer fireman in Babylon, a councilman for the Republican Party, he served as president of the Burt Reynolds Apprentice Theatre and volunteered as an usher at Roger Dean Stadium and worked for the Marlins.

Funeral Services will be held on Monday, February 17 at Christ Fellowship Royal Palm Beach at 11:00am with a following interment at Riverside Cemetery in Tequesta.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are encouraged to support his grandchildren’s ongoing education in the field of medicine. Contributions can be mailed to The Michael and Emily Metzner Education Fund, 9905 Southern Blvd., Royal Palm Beach, FL 33411.