- Date Of Birth: January 24, 1936
- Date Of Death: May 13, 2021
- City: Aliquippa
- State: Pennsylvania
Dr. Joseph Edward Smith passed away May 13th, 2021 at the age of 85.
Born in 1936 in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania just west of Pittsburgh, he was a graduate of Aliquippa, High School where he met his wife of 62 years, Joan (Krayniewski) Smith. The high school sweethearts both went on to attend the University of Pittsburgh, Joe went to the School of Dental Medicine while Joan was a Chemical Engineer.
Joe and Joan were married in 1958 and then after he graduated from Dental School in 1960, he served as a lieutenant in the United States Navy and was stationed in Agana, Guam. He and Joan both moved out to Guam where he served as a Navy dentist. Joan gave birth to the first two of their five children while stationed in Guam. In 1963 he completed his tour of duty and moved back to Aliquippa where he started his own private dental practice. They had three more children together shortly thereafter.
Dr. Joe was an active leader in his community throughout his life. He served on the School board in Hopewell Township and served as president on the board as well. He was an active member at Beaver Lakes Country Club where he also served on the board and served as president. He and Joan were active members of the University of Pittsburgh Alumni Association and Athletic Department.
Dr. Joe was a very avid fisherman. He loved spending the weekends at the family’s summer cabin on the Allegheny River, just south of Franklin, PA. His parents Bill and Rose built the place in the late 40’s early 50s. Joe was also a golf nut. He was a member at Beaver Lakes Country Club for all of his adult life. He also enjoyed hunting and spending time at his vacation home in Fort Pierce, Florida where he eventually moved with Joan after his retirement from dentistry in 1995.
His oldest son Joe and his oldest daughter Karen both followed in his footsteps and became dentists. They both still practice in the Pittsburgh area. He was proud that all five children have successful careers. Joe was a lifelong Pitt and Steeler fan and held season tickets for both for over 40 years. But Joe’s biggest passion was his family. There were few things he enjoyed more than spending the evenings playing cards and enjoying a Manhattan around the kitchen table at the cabin in Franklin or the condo in Florida with his wife and children.
The only thing that gave him more joy than catching smallmouth bass, or 18 holes on the golf course, or watching the hometown teams play, was the time he spent with his children and grandchildren. Pap Pap Joe was always a family favorite. His goofy demeanor and happy smile endeared him to family and friends alike. He was an open-minded, kindhearted man who fit in with the steelworkers of Aliquippa as easily as the Chancellor of the University of Pittsburgh.
He is survived by his wife, Joan Krayniewski Smith, his five children Dr. Joseph P. and Darlene (McMarlin) Smith, Dr. Karen Smith-Saundry, Terrence P. and Cheri (Stevers) Smith, Michael Ann (Smith), and Dr. Timothy Dornin, and Leslie (Smith) Smychynsky along with his loving ten grandchildren: Jake, Terry, Tyler, Samantha, Zachary, Gabby, Casey, Lexie, Trevor and Gannon, niece Maria (Smith) Bivens and nephew Jeff Bakus along with numerous cousins.
He is pre-deceased by parents William B. Smith and Rose (Dougherty) Smith and brother William H. Smith.
