Kevin Murray Smith, Sr.
January 8, 1954 — December 29, 2015
Kevin Murray Smith, Sr.
A True Storyteller -
Kevin M. Smith, Sr. died gloriously in battle in the early morning rain on December 29, 2015, surrounded by his loved ones. Ultimately overwhelmed by superior numbers-- but never superior forces, as no such beast exists-- his enemies should remain vigilant, and his allies take heart, as it is rumored that he nonetheless still managed to cheat death, having been seen and heard living on in the memories and stories shared by those who loved him. A poet, publisher, union organizer, thinker, and unabashed talker and oral historian, he left his unique and indelible mark in any number of different fields, yet will be best remembered as an unparalleled husband, father, grandfather, son, brother and uncle, with more people who would have considered him a best friend in his sixty-one years of life than most people would have a right to expect if they lived three times as long. He holds or shares the unofficial records for: most cigarettes smoked, most books read, most long-distance-telephone minutes used, most love deeply felt and freely given, least lies ever told, and most honesty ever dispensed. If you knew him, close your eyes and smile. If you didn't, please know he sends his deepest sympathies.
Kevin’s survivors include his wife, Mary Jane (Taylor) Smith; his mother, Margaret Elizabeth (Bond) Smith, of Niantic, CT; his son, Kevin Smith, Jr. and his wife, Rebecca, of East Haven, CT; his three granddaughters: Karalina, Brooklynn, Addaleia; his five siblings: Dewitt Smith III, Dana Jain, Shelley Flanagan, Betsy Brousseau, Barbara Smith; and several nieces and nephews.
All are welcome to join Kevin’s family at his gathering of family and friends on Saturday, January 9, 2016, from 2:00 p.m. until time of service at 3:00 p.m. at Myers - Buhrig Funeral Home and Crematory, 37 East Main Street, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055; with Celebrant George Spangler officiating. Cremation was private.
The family suggests memorial contributions to Sierra Club, 85 Second Street, 2 nd Floor, San Francisco, CA 94105-3441, www.sierraclub.org or to Southern Poverty Law Center, 400 Washington Avenue, Montgomery, AL 36104, www.splcenter.org.
Kevin’s family has entrusted his care to Myers – Buhrig Funeral Home and Crematory in Mechanicsburg, (717) 766-3421. Read Kevin’s full obituary, view his memorial video and portrait, and sign his official guest book at www.Myers-Buhrig.com .