Thomas Smith

Thomas Smith, 71, of New Market, MD was called home to eternal life on November 23, 2023. He was born on January 31,1952 to Fern and Grennie Smith. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Vivian, and her husband, Kenny.

Tom, the most loving and devoted husband, father, and grandfather is survived by his wife, Eileen; daughters, Bridget (Scott) and Helen; son, Brendan (Flor); and grandchildren Sophie, Micah, Nina, Sienna, and Jacob. He is also survived by his sister, Susan (Jerry) and several nieces and nephews.

Upon graduation from high school in Albany, NY, Tom attended two years of college, prior to joining the Navy to serve his country. He didn’t “see the world,” but while stationed at Bethesda Naval Hospital (now Walter Reed Medical Center) he met his loving wife, the woman who would stand by his side for 42 years, Eileen.

Tom and Eileen were transplants from New York and Connecticut, who luckily found a supportive community of friends here in Maryland, where they raised their three children. Tom worked for nearly 30 years for the National Institutes of Health as a Team Manager of purchasing agents within the Cancer Institute. He loved to share stories of the strange things he had to buy for scientific experiments, such as 100 small rats, while the family ate dinner.

Tom was a natural introvert, but had a quick wit. He loved his family fiercely and enjoyed playing pranks and cracking jokes to make them laugh. He was a history buff and constantly strived to learn new things. He would always have an interesting tidbit to share from a recent documentary he had watched or book he finished reading. He also never backed down from a rousing debate.

A man of courage, Tom never worried about what others thought. He was true to himself, even if others did not understand his interests or opinions. His everyday attire was simple; he didn’t worry about appearances. He believed what really matters is what’s on the inside. He had a strong relationship with the Lord and knew that in prayer, like Moses before the burning bush, he was “standing on holy ground.”

Tom was a wonderful man whose impact will be forever felt by his family, who love him dearly. His passing left an unfillable gap in the hearts of his loved ones. His ability to provide support, sacrifice, and love will be forever ingrained in all who knew him.

A funeral Mass will take place on Wednesday, December 6, 2023 at St. John Neumann Catholic Church, 9000 Warfield Road, Gaithersburg, MD 20882. A time of visitation will take place from 10 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. with a Mass of Christian Burial offered at 11 a.m. All are welcome to follow to the burial site at All Souls Cemetery, 11401 Brink Road Germantown, MD 20876. Donations may be made in his memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital ( https://www.stjude.org ) or St. John Neumann Catholic Church ( https://www.SJNCatholic.org ).