Patrick Joseph Smid

Patrick J. Smid died on July 3, 2012 surrounded by his loving family. Pat was born in Chicago, Illinois on February 10, 1924 to Joseph and Mary Smid. He attended De La Salle High School in Chicago on a scholarship and then the University of Notre Dame on a basketball scholarship. He enlisted in the Navy in 1942, received officer training at Notre Dame, and saw active duty from 1943-1946. After earning his B.S. in Business Administration from Notre Dame, he met Rosemary Barry at Western Electric and married her in 1949. In their wonderful 44-year marriage, they had eight children. They moved to Phoenix, Arizona in 1953 and Pat embarked on a 30-year career with the AT&T Bell system, working in marketing, IT, and regulatory affairs, before retiring from Mountain Bell in 1986 as an assistant vice-president. When Pat and his family settled in Southwest Denver in 1965, he became active in the Southwest Denver Kiwanis Club. After retirement, he volunteered with both Kiwanis and the Blue Spruce Pioneer Club (a community service club for telephone company retirees). He also delved more deeply into writing, watercolor painting, cross country skiing, and fishing and enjoyed spending time with his family. A lifelong learner, he devoted thousands of hours to helping motivate children to learn and spearheaded projects as the Education Officer in the Kiwanis and Pioneer clubs. For their efforts, he and the clubs were nominated for outstanding volunteer contributions. After Rosemary's death, Pat married her sister, Kathleen Daly. Their 15-year marriage was filled with laughter, love, family gatherings, and a lot of card playing. He was a marvelous husband, father, grandfather, and friend, and leaves behind his beloved wife Kathleen; six surviving children: Rosemary (Paul) Reinhart; Michael (Kathy) Smid; Bernadette (John) Spillane; Joseph (Linda) Smid; Mary (Troy) Newman; and Jim (Krystal) Smid; 13 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and three sisters. He was predeceased by his first wife Rosemary and sons Patrick (Vicki) and Frank as well his brother Frankie and his parents. Memorial Service will be Friday, July 13, 2012, 10:30am at Horan & McConaty Family Chapel, 3101 South Wadsworth Boulevard, Lakewood, Colorado 80227 Committal to follow at Fort Logan National Cemetery, 3698 South Sheridan Boulevard, Denver, Colorado 80235. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless, 2111 Champa Street, Denver, Colorado 80205. Please share your memories of Patrick and condolences with his family by selecting the ""Sign Guestbook"" link.