Robert J. Smith

Robert J. Smith Robert J. Smith of Kinnelon NJ, passed away peacefully on the morning of Tuesday, September 15, 2020 at Morristown Memorial Hospital surrounded by his family after a brief illness. Bob was 88 years old and was born in Philadelphia on March 25, 1932, the son of Robert and Anna Smith. Bob married Mary Eleanor Ring in 1959. They celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary this year. Bob and Mary lived in Kinnelon for the past 50 years and raised a beautiful family. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. His children and their spouses include Kevin and Sharon Smith, Sparta, NJ; Kathy and James Brannigan, Greensboro, NC; Michael Smith, Belvidere, NJ and Sharon and Paul Gehrig of Charlotte, NC. He enjoyed being a part of the lives of his ten grandchildren and their spouses who will all miss him dearly. Matt Smith, Clay and Colleen Smith, Molly and Robert Bowness, Emily and Paolo Rossin, Kelly Brannigan, Megan Brannigan, Casey Brannigan, John Gehrig, Maggie Gehrig and Julia Gehrig and his great grandchildren Nate, Nora, and Nellie Bowness, Nolan Smith, and Marta Rossin, all felt his love. Raised in Philadelphia, Bob graduated from West Catholic High School in 1951 and participated in track, cross country and basketball. He went on to LaSalle College on an Athletic Scholarship in basketball and graduated with a BA in Education while life guarding in North Wildwood, NJ during the summers. His first job teaching was in the Philadelphia school system until he was drafted into the Army and served in the Korean conflict. While stationed in Korea he played basketball for the Eighth Army All-Star Basketball Team. After returning, Bob engaged in a 50 year career in the bottled water industry starting with Great Bear Spring Water Company rising from a Branch Manager in Baltimore, MD to V.P. of Sales in New York City. In 1973 he became President of the Ozone Water Company in Orange, NJ until his retirement in 1997. He enjoyed golf, reading and socializing with his many friends and family. A mass will be held on Friday, September 18 at 10:00am at our Lady of the Magnificat Church in Kinnelon followed by a private gathering for family. Memorial Mass Our Lady of Magnificat RC Church Friday, September 18, 2020 10:00 AM Email Details 5 Miller Rd.Kinnelon, NJ 07405 Directions