Joseph Charles Smith

Joseph Charles Smith age 97 born on March 7, 1926 passed peacefully at his beloved home in Port St. Lucie FL on February 27, 2024. Joseph was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, great great-grandfather and Uncle. He always said he was so blessed to have such a large and loving family.

Joseph was born and raised in Yonkers, NY with his 8 siblings. He went to sea at a very young age as a Merchant marine, which started his love for ships and the wide open seas. He was promoted to captain of a new ship, but because he had met the love of his life, Patricia Denman of Yorkshire England, he turned it down. Joseph joined the Coast Guard and he and Pat were married before he was deployed to the Korean war. After discharge he joined the Coast Guard Reserve where he served for many years.

Joe had moved his ever growing family from Queens, NY to Yorktown Heights, NY where they lived until Pat passed away in 1993.

Besides his international maritime practice he also sat on school boards and also obtained his real estate license to help a friend in need of legal assistance. Joe was always there to help out or love anyone who needed something, regardless of whether it was family, friends or complete strangers. He had a heart of gold, he was a devout catholic and eucharistic minister at St. Patrick’s Church in Yorktown Heights, NY and also at St. Bernadette’s Catholic Church in Port St. Lucie, FL. He became a 4th degree Knight of Columbus while in living in Port St. Lucie, FL, which he was so honored to be a part of.

He later married Eleanor Marinace in 1994, but sadly Eleanor passed rather quickly. Joe met Edwina Chamberlain (Wendy) from England and they were married for 25 years until her passing in November 2023.

Joseph is predeceased by his wives, Patricia, Eleanor and Edwina. Also 3 sons, Gerald, Andrew and Christopher, Daughters, Barbara and Christine and his parents and his seven siblings.

He is survived by his daughter Susan Zabit of Bend, OR, Father Brian Smith of Cochran, GA, Timothy Smith of Hyde Park, NY and Jennifer Barrett of Greenville, NY as well as his three daughter in laws Kathy Walsh of Canajoharie, NY, Faye Smith of Montezuma, GA and Jean Ryan of Palm Coast, FL along with many cousins, nieces and nephews, grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers please make donations to the Veterans Wounded Warrior Association