John Stephen Smith

John Stephen “Steve” Smith, 80, of Sarasota, Florida, husband of Noreen (Wald) Smith, died unexpectedly in his sleep on Sunday, September 30, 2018. Steve was born in Portland, Indiana, on November 9, 1937, the only child of Harry Keith and Helen (Bonifas) Smith. Steve grew up in several towns in Indiana as his father’s work as a school teacher and high school principal took him from school to school. Steve graduated from high school in Tipton, Indiana. Steve graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 1959 with a degree in business. Following graduation, Steve served his country as an officer in the United States Navy. His Naval career included assignments on ships supporting the Vietnam War and ship repair/engineering assignments in Washington, DC, Guam, and the Philadelphia Navy Shipyard. Steve retired from the Navy after more than 20 years of service and achieving the rank of Captain. Following his Naval service, Steve led a very successful career in the military and Naval contracting industry, including serving as President of ROH, Inc. After retiring, Steve moved to Sarasota, FL, where he enjoyed traveling with his wife Noreen, teaching military history classes a local community college, playing the piano and an occasional round of golf, and of course, keeping tabs on his beloved Fighting Irish. He was an active parishioner of St. Martha’s Catholic Church. Steve was a proud American who believed in the greatness of our country. He was especially proud of his children and grandchildren, scattered across the country, and kept close tabs of their activities and achievements. Steve is survived by his wife Noreen; daughter Deborah (John) Sefton of Thousand Oaks, California; his sons Brian (Louise) Smith of Plymouth, Michigan, Sean Smith (fiancé Jillian Wohlfarth) of Denver, Colorado, and Scott Smith of Manchester, New Hampshire; stepson Bill Reckdenwald of Monroe, New Jersey; son-in-law Butsch Wrobel of Fairbanks, Alaska; eleven grandchildren – Maggie, Doug (Diana), and Frank Sefton; Teresa and Matthew Wrobel; Patrick, Catherine, Danny, Jack, Nora, and Mary Smith; and one great-grandchild Angelo Sefton. Steve was preceded in death by his parents, his daughter Margaret Wrobel, and his granddaughter, Bridget Smith. Visitation will be held on Thursday, October 4, from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm, at Gendron Funeral Home (135 N. Lime Avenue, Sarasota, FL 34237). Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, October 4, at 1:30 pm at St. Martha Catholic Church (200 N. Orange Avenue, Sarasota, FL 34236). Interment will be at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA, at a later date. Memorials may be directed to St. Vincent DePaul in Bradenton, FL or to Give Kids the World Village in Kissimmee, FL (an organization that did amazing things for Steve’s granddaughter Bridget).

John Stephen Smith

November 9, 1937 - September 30, 2018