Donald Smith

Donald Leo Smith age 84, of Erie and formerly of Pittsburgh, passed away Thursday, January 30, 2014 at Sarah A. Reed Retirement Center.

He was born in Baltimore, MD on August 13, 1929, the son of the late Louis and Estelle Crouse Smith.

Donald received a BS in chemistry at Loyola College in Baltimore, then served as an officer in the United States Navy from 1953 through 1956. He was employed at Bettis Atomic Laboratory is West Mifflin, PA, then as a research engineer for Consolidated Coal Co. in Library PA for over 23 years until his retirement.

Donald was a “do-it-yourself” man, able to build or fix anything with the tools in his basement workshop. He was an avid reader of anything nautical or historical. He loved sailing, particularly on the Chesapeake Bay, and relaxing on the beach at the Eastern Shore of MD, and Sanibel Island.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 34 years Mary Kathryn Nierman Smith of Cumberland, MD.

He is survived by three daughters, Daren Smith of MD, Barbara Smith of VA, and Donna Skelly and her husband Thomas of Erie; a son, Mark Smith and his wife Karen of TX; four grandchildren, Kathryn Skelly, Michael Skelly, Christina Skelly, and Alejandra Hesse Smith; a sister, Jean Carr of FL; and a dear friend of many years, Evelyn Dodson and her family of Oakmont, PA.

Friends may call at the Burton Westlake Funeral Home 3801 W. 26th Street (at Powell Ave.) on Monday from 3:30 until the time of the service at 6:00 pm with Fr. Michael Polinek officiating. Burial will be private in Cumberland MD.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be to the Bayfront Maritime Center 40 Holland Street Erie PA 16507 or the Erie County Public Library 160 East Front Street Erie PA 16507.

Please visit www.Burtonfuneralhome.com to send condolences