Peter James Smith

Peter James Smith, age 103, of Silver Ridge Park Westerly (SRP-Westerly), Toms River, NJ passed away peacefully in his sleep on Thursday, December 19, 2024 at the Menlo Park Veterans Home in Edison, NJ. Peter was born on February 14, 1921, in Perth Amboy, New Jersey as the son of Loretta (Blum) and Peter Smith. He graduated St. Mary’s High School in 1939. He was a retired salesman for North American Phillips. Peter served in the US Navy as Seaman 1st Class on the USS Jupiter. Dedicated to community service his entire life, he served on Boards in Edison, Middletown, and Berkeley Townships. He was a three-term President of the Board of Trustees of SRP-Westerly, and then served as secretary. He turned the Sign Post into a professional publication. He was President of Board of Trustees of a Berkeley Township Coalition to expand Mule Road and obtain access to Route 37 via Bimini Drive. He received the “key to the city” and the Mayor’s Proclamation on his 100th birthday amidst the fanfare of the public celebration of his life hosted by SRP-Westerly and attended by friends, family, and neighbors. He was a member and held office in various community organizations including the Kiwanis Club, the Knights of Columbus, and the American Legion. He was an organizer and longtime leader in the VFW Post #8352. Proud of his Irish Catholic heritage, he was active as a parishioner and an usher at St. Maximillian Kolbe for many years.

Husband of the late Elizabeth H. Smith who passed away in 2013, he is survived by his daughters, Barbara May and Joan Balevre; one granddaughter and four great grandchildren; and his nieces Cynthia (Smith) Graci, Patty (Smith) Von Till, and Debbie, Karen, and Kevin Madonna. Peter is pre-deceased by his brother Francis, and his sisters Mary, Adeline, and Elizabeth. Visitation will be Thursday, January 2. 2024, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Quinn-Hopping Funeral Home, 26 Mule Rd., Toms River, NJ 08755. Mass of Catholic Burial will be celebrated on Friday, January 3, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. in St. Maximilian Kolbe Roman Catholic Church, 130 St. Maximilian Lane, Toms River, NJ 08757. He will be laid to rest with his late wife on January 7, 2024 in the BG William C. Doyle New Jersey Veterans Cemetery, 350 Provinceline Rd., Wrightstown, NJ 08562.