Obituary of Harold I. Smith

Harold I. “Hal” Smith, 69, of Athens, PA passed away unexpectedly on Monday, January 9, 2017 at Robert Packer Hospital. He was born on September 2, 1947 in Lancaster, PA the son of the late Irvin H. and Martha J. (Halk) Smith. Hal was born and raised in the Mt. Joy area. Following graduation from Donegal High School, he attended Penn State University. While attending college, he was a member of the Tau Delta Phi fraternity and a member of the Blue Band, graduating in 1969 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education. He remained to this day a proud member of the Penn State Alumni. He worked at Delaware Valley School District for 2 years in Milford, Pa, while attending Marywood University, where he earned his Master’s Degree. He was employed with the Athens Area School District for 32 years, serving as Band Director for 28 years, prior to his retirement. He then taught music at the Waverly High School for 10 years. His love for music and sharing that love with others was the focus of his career. While he was the band director, he taught countless students to love music and the importance of learning their musical instruments. He met his wife, Donna Flick, while they were playing in an orchestra pit. Over the years, they continued sharing their love of music by participating in over 45 shows together. Hal did many repairs for Yale Music Shop over the years and continued to do so even after retiring. Hal was a member of the Penn York Highlanders and the Southern Tier Wind Ensemble. Hal was a beloved husband, father, and grandfather and loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren whom he adored. He was an avid collector of HO Model Trains and loved working on them, constructing all the buildings, cars, and scenery for it, and even capturing his grandchildren’s attention in helping him in this task. Hal, an Eagle Scout himself, was so very proud of his sons when they achieved the honor of Eagle Scout. He was very involved in the Scouting Program, Troop 15, and actively took the lead on the Merit Badge Program. Hal was a member of St. John Lutheran Church in Sayre for 42 years, serving as their Choir Director for the last 23 years. He enjoyed golfing, participating in the Tioga Country Club Golf League and the Catatonk Teachers Year End Golf Tournament. He was an avid Phillies Fan, Penn State Fan, and Green Bay Packers Fan. Hal was a Soccer Referee for over 36 years. Hal was an accomplished bowler no matter where he went. He bowled for many years at the Valley Bowling Center in Waverly, Shamrock Lanes in Ulster, and for the last 20 years at Starlight in Towanda. Hal was a member of the 700 Series Club at Starlight Lanes and bowled every year with his buddies from the Tuesday night league in the State Tournament. He was an active and valued member of the Athens Community that will be missed by all those who knew him and had the pleasure of serving with him. He had the heart of a servant, his faith and family meant everything to him and he loved his community and the people in it. Hal’s focus was always to make sure that his community was a place for families to be raised. He served on the Athens Borough Council for many years, in the capacity of Vice President. He was the positive force that in the worst of times, knew that together this community could make it better. He worked tirelessly and endlessly during and after the 2011 flood to be sure that people’s needs were met while recovering. Hal also was a member of Futurescapes Committee and was the designated representative for FEMA Recovery Disaster Response Team. When growing up, Hal joined the Mt. Joy Fire Company at the age of 16, where his dad was a member. His love for being a part of the emergency service continued throughout his adult life and he became a member of the Athens Borough Fire Department. Over the years, Hal served in many capacities as Asst. Chief, secretary for the Firemen’s Relief, and the rental of the pavilion. All the firefighters knew they could depend on Hal whenever toned out as he never missed a call unless on vacation. His knowledge and leadership was vital to the members of many departments in the Valley Area. He also was a member of the Athens Township Volunteer Fire Company, volunteering at Bingo every Tuesday evening. Highly respected in the music community, the Valley area, and the emergency services, Hal will be missed by all those whose lives he touched. Harold is survived by his beloved wife of 42 years Donna Flick Smith at home, sons and daughters-in-law Brent and Jackie Smith of Pleasant Gap, PA and Anthony “Tony” and Brelin Smith of Candor, NY and his grandchildren Madison, Cooper, and Michael Smith of Pleasant Gap, PA and Ayden, Eliza, and Dakota Smith of Candor, NY. He is also survived by his sister and brother-in-law Carol and Donald Miller of Columbia, PA, brother and sister-in-law Keith and Deb Smith of Maytown, PA, brother-in-law and sister-in-law Steven and Carol Flick of Schaefferstown, PA and brother-in-law Hugh Flick and partner Beth Fitzpatrick of Hummelstown, PA, sister-in-law and brother-in-law Susan and Jerry Ciranni of Harrisburg, PA, his aunt Marion Black of Elizabethtown, PA, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. Friends and family may call on Friday, January 13, 2017 from 5pm-8pm at the Jay E. Lowery Funeral Home and Cremation, 225 South Main Street, Athens, PA 18810. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 14, 2017 at 10am at St. John Lutheran Church, 207 South Hopkins Street, Sayre, PA with the Rev. Mike Martine of Trinity Lutheran Church, Mt. Joy, PA. Burial will be in Tioga Point Cemetery, Athens, PA. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Hal’s memory to: Athens Borough Fire Department, 2 River Street, Athens, PA 18810 or St. John Lutheran Church, 207 South Hopkins Street, Sayre, PA 18840.