Trevor G. Smith

SMITH, Trevor Gaylord Mallory, born August 3, 1935, left this earth quietly and at peace on September 4, 2012 after a long battle with ataxia. A consummate gentleman who was modest and hard-working; a successful entrepreneur dedicated to the health insurance industry, public service projects, philanthropic and charitable organizations, and his church; and most of all, a much-loved father, grandfather, great-grandfather, husband, mentor and friend – Trevor wore many hats, had many interests and talents, and meant a lot to many people.

Trevor was born the youngest of four children in Winchester, MA, and he spent most of his youth there. He attended Loomis Boarding School in Connecticut, and he was a proud 1957 alumnus of Amherst College in Massachusetts. While at Amherst, he enjoyed theater and hockey, and he majored in Spanish.

After graduating, Trevor entered the health insurance industry with Connecticut General Life Insurance Company, and later Banker's Life Insurance Company in Lincoln, NE. In 1970, Trevor worked with partners Charlie Guy and Jack Murray to form Plan Services in Tampa, a company that would be acquired by Dun & Bradstreet in 1978.

In 1989, Trevor fulfilled a lifelong dream to work in public service, accepting a two-year appointment as Assistant State Treasurer and Assistant Insurance Commissioner. During his time in office, he helped create the organization Healthy Kids. When he returned to D&B, he served many roles until his retirement.

Though Trevor was often too humble to talk about it, he held key roles with philanthropic and charitable organizations in Tampa and beyond. He served as chairman of the board at St. Joseph's Hospital; he was president of Professional Insurance Marketing Association; he founded the HALO Foundation; and he was a volunteer leader at the local and national level for the Association for Retarded Children/Citizens (The Arc), the Jaycees, the Florida and International Special Olympics, Angels Unaware, among many others.

Trevor's hobbies included cheering his Amherst Lord Jeffs, traveling (Boston and Maine were favorite family destinations), cooking, the daily jumble, hiking the Appalachian Trail, plaid shirts, wingtips, bird watching and – if it can be called a hobby – shopping at L.L. Bean.

Perhaps his greatest accomplishment, however, is his large and loving family. He was married to Bonnie Jean Leavitt, and the couple had four children – Reve Smith, Lesli DeVito, Ford Smith and Mallory Smith.

In 1981, Trevor wed Nola Allen – a marriage that lasted for the rest of his life – and he was proud to call her children, Shelley Allen and Jamie Allen, his son and daughter. Living in Carrollwood Village, Trevor and Nola's blended family also included sons-in-law Gary Simmons and Damon DeVito, and daughters-in-law Malena Smith and Michele Allen.

Additionally, Trevor leaves behind nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild: Garrett, and Ashlyn Simmons; Nina and Haley Smith; Tate, Phoebe and Cooper DeVito; Josey and Avery Allen; and Jaidin Simmons. He was their Pop-Pop.

Trevor was a devoted son to Ruth and Reveley Smith, who preceded him in death, as did his siblings Leila Jane, Herbert and C. R. Mallory.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the HALO Foundation and the USF Ataxia Research Center Fund.

A visitation will be held at Gonzalez Funeral Home on Wednesday, September 12, from 6 – 8 p.m. The memorial service will be held at Lake Magdalene United Methodist Church on Thursday, September 13, at 3 p.m.