June 6, 1943 - July 9, 2023
Ernest Smith, 80, of Yardville, passed away suddenly and peacefully on Sunday, July 9, 2023.
Born in New Brunswick, NJ, he was a longtime area resident. Smitty, as he was affectionately called by his family and friends, was an honorably discharged Army Paratrooper who was a special forces, green beret who proudly served his country. He was a self-employed landscape artist, irrigation specialist and tree expert who ran his own business, Smitty’s Tree Service. He took great pride in his lawn, and looked forward to the fall season when he could break out the leaf blower. He always had the biggest pile of leaves in the neighborhood. He had a workshop in his shed where he spent time fixing anything that was broken, and he enjoyed refurbishing religious statutes for family and friends, most recently bringing back a Virgin Mary to its former beauty. Most of all he will be remember for riding his bike through the neighborhood, passing out bones to the local dogs. Smitty was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great- grandfather, brother, and friend, and will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.
Predeceased by his parents, George Aaron and Helen Marie (Horvath) Smith; mother-in-law Jenny Buchko; siblings George Smith, and Marie Vetere; and his son-in-law, John R. Leahan; he is survived by his wife of 50 years, Elizabeth (Buchko) Smith; a daughter, Sharon (Smith) Leahan; a son, Robert Smith and his wife, Jennifer; a brother, Kenny Smith; grandchildren, Derrick Anderson, Zharea Hall, Michael Hall, Hailey Leahan and Camryn Smith; great- granddaughter, Phoenix Anderson; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and dear friends.
A Memorial gathering will be held for family and friends on Sunday, July 16, 2023 from
2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. at the Buklad-Merlino Yardville Memorial Home, 30 Yardville-Allentown Road, Yardville.
Burial will be private and at the convenience of the family.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made directly to the family, or mailed to them in care
of the Buklad-Merlino Memorial Home, 2141 South Broad Street, Hamilton, NJ 08610.
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