John A. Smith Jr. ’56

John A. Smith Jr. ’56, of Palm Harbor, Fla.; Feb. 7, of congestive heart failure. Having been in the NROTC program at Brown, he was commissioned an officer in the U.S. Navy upon graduating. He served for 24 years and rose to the rank of Commander. During his military career he was awarded many medals, including the commendation medal. He and his family lived in many states, as well as in Japan for three years. During his last tour of duty in Philadelphia he bought a home in Cherry Hill, N.J., where they lived for 33 years. After retiring, he had a second career in the aerospace industry for 16 more years. He owned a sailboat and enjoyed sailing in the Atlantic Ocean and the Delaware Bay near Cape May, N.J. He was a member of the Corinthian Yacht Club of Cape May for 30 years and a former member of the Union League of Philadelphia, where he participated in the glee club. He enjoyed singing and had an amazing memory for lyrics. His wife especially enjoyed his love songs that he continued to sing to her right up to his last few days. In 2005, while vacationing in Florida, they bought a condo. A lifestyle of golf, cocktail parties and dances, making friends, and enjoying the sunshine ensued for 19 years.They leased an apartment in N.J. to see their family frequently and be with their friends at the Weston Club, as well as with old friends in and around Cherry Hill and Philadelphia. He is survived by his wife, Elaine; three children and their spouses; 10 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.