Alfred Joseph Smith, the eldest child of the late Alfred Paul Smith and Dorothy Eloise Smith, died on March 11, 2019, at the Stony Brook Southampton Hospital.
Mr. Smith was born August 10, 1947, in Manhattan, where he attended school and was an outstanding student and athlete. Affectionately known as “Junior,” Mr. Smith attended Mark Twain Junior High and Lincoln High School, where he was a top football player as a running back and halfback. He could throw a football more than 60 yards. He had a bond with his teammates that still holds strong.
After high school, he enlisted in the United States Army, serving four years, during the Vietnam War and earning several medals: the Good Conduct Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal Vietnam Campaign Medal and the Bronze Star. Upon ending his military service, he continued his education at Kingsborough Community College, in Brooklyn and Hunter College in Manhattan, where he majored in technology. After acquiring his technology skills, he worked on Wall Street for a number of years and then took employment at Lehman College in the Bronx, where he was employed for more than 29 years as an instructor and coordinator of the technology lab. He was highly respected by his students and his fellow employees.
On a blind date on November 22, 1995, arranged by friends, Mr. Smith met Nancy Stevens, with whom he became smitten and after a six-year courtship, they married on November 24, 2001, creating a blended family. Mr. Smith recognized Nancy’s commitment to her faith and her church and became a member of King’s Chapel Church of God in Christ and attended with her from time to time. They enjoyed traveling together, especially cruising and visiting and spending time with their children and grandchildren.
Mr. Smith enjoyed relaxing to the smooth sound of jazz, while sitting on the deck of his home, especially in the summer when the gardens that he loved were in full bloom in the backyard.
He took care of his aging mother, along with the help of his siblings. He had a heart for his fellow service men that were dealing with health issues as a result of their service during the Vietnam War, and would visit with them and share hope.
Mr. Smith is survived by his wife, Nancy; his children, Cheslie, Jessica, Yodit and DeAnná; a younger brother, Bernard James Smith (Anita); a sister, Cynthia Smith; three grandchildren, Brendan, Savannah and Cole; a niece, Eulalia; a nephew, Darnell; a great-nephew, Adrian: and a host of family and friends.
A wake is set for Wednesday, March 20, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Brockett Funeral Home in Southampton. A viewing will take place on Thursday, March 21, at 10 a.m. at the Kings Chapel Church of God in Christ in Southampton, with a service at 11 a.m.. Burial will follow at Calverton National Cemetery.
on Mar 18, 2019