In Memory of
Carl Blair Smith
August 19,
1931 - September 26, 2022
Obituary
Carl Blair Smith was
born on August 19, 1931, in Scranton, Pennsylvania and
entered the Gates of Heaven on September 26, 2022.
Carl
passed peacefully in the arms of his beloved wife of 67
years, Marjorie, and his three daughters at his home in
Port Saint Lucie, Florida. After graduating from Central
High School in Scranton, Carl volunteered to serve his
country in the U.S. Army, proudly serving for three
years in Germany as a Staff Sargent during the Korean
War. Upon leaving active service, Carl attended Scranton
University and achieved an Associate Degree in
Engineering. During this time, Carl met and married the
Love of his Life – Marjorie Kathryn Conway. They raised
four beautiful children in Middlesex, New Jersey, where
they lived for 45 years.
After college, Carl accepted a
job with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey,
where he worked for 38 years as Senior Construction
Engineer. His many projects there included the
construction of the lower level of the George Washington
Bridge and the third tube of the Lincoln Tunnel. In
1979, Carl was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal,
which is given to employees whose exceptional courage,
devotion to duty, and contributive ingenuity merit the
highest honors the Port Authority can bestow.
After his
retirement from the Port Authority in 1992, he consulted
for the PA on the construction of the AirTrain to Newark
Liberty International Airport. During his years at the
PA, Carl participated in both the PA softball league and
the PA bowling league. Carl and Marjorie made many, many
lifelong friendships at the Port Authority. Carl coached
CYO basketball for 25 years in Middlesex, NJ. During
this time, he became the Athletic Director. Afterwards,
Carl refereed CYO and public grammar and high school
basketball games for 20 years. He served on the Zoning
Board of Adjustment for five 5-year terms. Carl loved
all sports but none more than his beloved New York
Yankees and New York Giants. He greatly enjoyed playing
cards with his buddies and going out to dinner with his
friends in Port Saint Lucie.
He and Marge loved to
travel the world. Together they visited Ireland, Hawaii,
Alaska, many European countries, and the South Pacific
Islands. Cruises with friends and family were especially
enjoyed. Carl was a man of great faith, was a member of
the Knights of Columbus, and served as Lector at Our
Lady of Mount Virgin Church in Middlesex. After moving
to Port Saint Lucie in 2006, Carl attended St.
Bernadette Parish. It must be said that Carl lived his
faith – his generosity of spirit was extraordinary. His
generosity knew no bounds – he gave of his time and
talents, not only to his extended family, but to
everyone he came into contact with in life!
Carl is
survived by his beloved wife, Marjorie, and three
daughters – Kathleen of Port St. Lucie, Florida, Lynne
of Middletown, New Jersey, Susan of Port St. Lucie, and
his sister Suzanne of Scranton, Pennsylvania, and many
loving nieces and nephews. Carl is predeceased by his
beloved son, Thomas Blair, his parents Carl Senior and
Helen, and his sister Joy.
Visitation will be on Friday,
October 7, 2022, from 2 to 4 pm and 7 to 9 pm at the
Middlesex Funeral Home, 528 Bound Brook Road, Middlesex,
New Jersey. A mass of Christian burial will be held on
Saturday, October 8, at 11 am at Our Lady of Mount
Virgin Church, 600 Harris Avenue, Middlesex, New Jersey.
Burial to follow at Resurrection Cemetery in Piscataway,
New Jersey. In addition, a mass and celebration of
Carl’s life will take place in Port St. Lucie at a later
date.
Middlesex Funeral Home
528 Bound Brook Road
Middlesex, New Jersey