Thomas James Smith, 86

October 26, 2024

Thomas James Smith, 86, of Mount Joy passed away at home on October 26. Born in Williamsport, Pa., he was the son of Kathleen and Louis Smith.

He graduated from St. James High School in 1956 and joined the U.S. Navy the following year. He attended the Naval Academy Prep School and was sworn in as a Midshipman at the US Naval Academy in 1959. He was discharged from the Navy in 1962 and enrolled at Widener University (PMC) where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering.

He accepted a job with the Bethlehem Steel Company and attended the Looper Training Program in Bethlehem, Pa. Future assignments included a supervisor position in the Hot Strip Mill in the Sparrows Point Plant in Baltimore and later the Burns Harbor Plant.

He was hired by Armstrong World Industries in 1967 and was assigned to the Central Engineering Department in Lancaster. He later worked in the various plants within the company as a Project Engineering Manager. He retired from Armstrong in 2000.

Through the years, Tom was active in the Lancaster Jaycees, the Lancaster Junior Achievement and the Kankakee Rotary Club International. He also served as President of the Board of Directors of the Lancaster Occupation Development Center and was an active member of Toastmaster International. In 2001, he served as the President of the Olde Hickory Golf Club and coached both basketball and softball teams in the Manheim Township under-twelve-leagues. After moving to Mount Joy in 2007, he served as a member of the Donegal School district Academic Mentor Program.

Tom leaves behind his wife of 58 years, Carolyn Young Smith, and children, Kelly Haffly (Mark) of Mount Joy, Pa., Kevin, of Manayunk, Pa., and Kyle Smith (Donna) of Columbia, South Carolina. He was preceded in death by his brother, Louis E. Smith.

Tom enjoyed his many years of retirement traveling with Carolyn through Europe, cruising through the Baltic, the Greek Isles, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, France, Hawaii and Alaska as well as being in Egypt and touring the Southwest United States, but he especially enjoyed being in Sarasota, Florida, in the winter where he was active playing golf, walking the beaches with Carolyn and enjoying their friends and the warmth of Florida.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, November 4, 2024, at 11 AM at Mary Mother of the Church, 625 Union School Rd, Mount Joy, PA 17552. The family will receive guests beginning at 10 AM. A luncheon will be held immediately following. In lieu of flowers, please consider memorial contributions in Tom’s name to Hospice & Community Care, 685 Good Drive, Lancaster, PA 17601.