Peter Hudson Smith

Peter Hudson Smith, age 84, of Lakewood NJ passed away on Saturday, September 11, 2021. He was born on February 19, 1937 in White Plains, NY. He lived in Japan, NY, NJ, FL and VA before returning to New Jersey in 2018. Peter earned his undergraduate degree at Yale, graduate degree at Columbia, and doctoral degree at Princeton. Dr. Smith taught at Ocean County College from its opening in 1966 until his retirement, and chaired the Social Sciences department. After retirement he and his wife lived on their boat at Boca Chica in the Florida Keys for several years.

Peter was also a Captain in the US Navy. He was based in Japan and helmed several minesweeper ships. He was also a licensed charter captain and traveled extensively on his cabin cruisers. Peter loved boating, his pets, reading, listening to music, playing his bongos, and entertaining family and friends. He was an accomplished drummer and went to Europe with the Yale jazz band.

Peter was the son of Arthur and Ethel Smith. He is predeceased by his beloved wife of 59 years Patricia Sherman Smith. Peter is survived by his sister Natalie Gerberick and her husband Clay; two daughters, Kimberly Schulze and her husband Matt, and Kyle McLaughlin and her husband Tom; his son Thomas Smith and his wife Annie; six grandchildren Ian and Dylan McLaughlin, and Corey, Christian, Olivia and Shawn Smith; and one great-grandson Reed Smith.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making memorial contributions to Folds of Honor at https://foldsofhonor.org

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.deliafuneralhome.com for his family. A memorial gathering for Peter will be held on Wednesday 9/22 from 3 – 7pm at D’Elia Funeral Home, Route 70 & Vermont Ave, Lakewood, NJ.