Gerard A. Smith

Gerry is survived by the love of his life and wife of almost 66 years, Anna Louise, five children (Sharon/husband Timothy Lecklider, Gerard Jr./wife Leslie Smith, Jennifer Smith, Lorraine Kinman/fiancé Richard Rosenthal, and Janine Smith), seven grandchildren (Kathryn Lecklider/husband Nicholas, Lauren Lecklider/ husband Nick, Sara Smith, Zachary Smith/wife Carrie, Brian Kinman, Daniel Kinman, and Jason Kinman), and five great grandchildren (Arlo Lyon, Lewis Lyon, Brooke Smith, Annabelle Smith, and Milo Denny).

He is also survived by his brother Paul William Smith and sister, Sister Carol Ann Smith (SHCJ). He was preceded in death by his parents Paul William and Margaret Kathryn Smith and sisters Margaret “Peggy” Ducharme and Alice Smith.

Gerry was born on August 13, 1932, in Glen Rock, New Jersey. He graduated from Saint Michael’s College, Winooski, Vermont in 1955 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. He participated in the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) and later was a member of the Saint Michael’s College Associate Board of Trustees.

Upon graduation in 1955, he received a commission in the United States Air Force (USAF) and continued serving in the Air Force Reserves through the rank of Captain. He was a star pitcher on Ridgewood High School, Saint Michael’s College, and Wright Patterson Air Force baseball teams, with his love of baseball continuing throughout his life.

Gerry joined the Raytheon Company in 1957, holding positions of increasing responsibility over a stellar 36-year career. He headed the firm’s Washington Operations as a Corporate Vice President responsible for Raytheon’s interface with the Pentagon, Capitol Hill, and international liaison activities in Washington, DC. He also oversaw Raytheon’s U.S, and international field offices. Earlier in his career he managed the Central Region in Dayton, OH and was a major contributor to the success of the Patriot Missile Program during the Gulf War.

Gerry had a longstanding affiliation and love of aviation, serving the aerospace industry in numerous leadership positions. He also met his beautiful wife Louise at Wright Patterson Air Force Base. His past professional affiliations include charter member of the National Aviation Hall of Fame where he served as Chairman and President, Board of Directors of the Electronic Industries Association’s (EIA) Government Division, President of the Washington Chapter of the National Security Industrial Association (NSIA) which presented him honorary membership in October 1993, Washington International Business Council’s Board of Advisors, and the Washington Chapter of the American Defense Preparedness Association.

He was dedicated to his community serving as Chairman of the Kettering, OH City Planning Commission, Chairman of the Kettering, OH Youth Commission, member/co-chairperson of the Two Rivers Country Club Advisory Board, and member of Two Rivers Country Club Board of Governors. At The Landings Retirement Living Community, he served on the Resident’s Council and was instrumental in establishing the local high school hiring program.

Gerry enjoyed spending time with family, playing a challenging game of golf, participating in poker/gin rummy games with his friends, working in his yard, sitting by the ocean, and traveling around the world with Louise, especially to Ireland. He was proud of his dual Irish citizenship and loved all things Irish including the bagpipes. He enjoyed University of Dayton Flyers and William and Mary basketball as a loyal attendee. He loved meeting all kinds of people, enjoying a good joke, sharing a laugh, and offering a solid piece of advice to those he encountered. He was our patriarch and the bright light of our family.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Nelsen Funeral Home, 3785 Strawberry Plains Road, Williamsburg, VA on December 3, 2022, at 10:00 AM with a private family burial to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the American Cancer Society or American Kidney Fund.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.NelsenWilliamsburg.com for the Smith family.