Charles Robinson Smith Jr.

Charles (Sunny) Robinson Smith Jr., of Annapolis, Maryland died peacefully in his sleep on April 23, 2025. He was born on June 15, 1926 in Annapolis to the late Charles and Dorothy Smith. He was preceded in death by his parents and his son, Charles Robinson Smith, III.

As a teenager Sunny raced his Moth boat, I’ll Be There, in many winning campaigns and was the Commodore of the Spa Creek Moth boat fleet. He enlisted in the Army during WWII and served in Manila until 1946. He then attended the University of Maryland in College Park where he was a member of the ATO fraternity and met his loving wife, Anne Carr Smith.

Sunny and Anne shared a passion for sailing and racing in their Hampton, Gladiator, Cal 29, and Farr 33—all named Uh-Oh. Sunny and Anne won three National Championships and four Admiral Byrd awards with the Hampton. He served as Commodore in both the Annapolis and National Hampton Fleets. Sunny was the Gladiator Class President and a National Champion. In the Cal 29, Sunny and Anne won several CBYRA Race Weeks, were overall winners of the Virginia Cruising Cup, and received High Point Awards. Racing the Farr 33, they won many awards including Overall IOR; Around the Island, Block Island Race Week XI; and Overall Winner and Best in Fleet in the Atlantic City Race Week.

Sunny joined the Annapolis Yacht Club (AYC) in 1943 and it became a second home to the Smith Family. Sunny served two terms as Commodore and contributed to countless committees, including the Junior Fleet and Race Committees. He also served as Commodore of the Sailing Club of the Chesapeake, Fleet Captain of the Chesapeake Station of the Storm Trysail Club and Rear Commodore of the Cruising Club of America. Over the years, Sunny was a member of SSA, Eastport Yacht Club, NASS, and CBYRA, volunteering wherever possible and holding many different offices.

In 1994 Sunny was honored for being the only skipper to have raced continuously under the AYC burgee for fifty years. In 2024, he received special recognition for his 80 years of AYC service. He served on the Annapolis Maritime Museum Board of Directors and was inducted into the Annapolis Maritime Hall of Fame in 2001.

Beyond sailing, Sunny was deeply committed to community service. He was a founding member and President (1957-1958) of the Annapolis Jaycees, and named “Outstanding Young Man of the Year” in 1958. He served on the boards of the Annapolis Chamber of Commerce, March of Dimes, and Severn School. He was a member of the Annapolis Elks and Lions Clubs.

Sunny is survived by his wife, Anne and two daughters: Jane Smith Hall (Jeff) and Lisa Smith McCarl (Clayton). He has four amazing grandchildren: Clayton III (Lindsay), Drew (Katie), Ashley (Rachid) and Jonathan (Rebecca). He was also blessed with six great grandchildren: Sophie, Charlie, Madelyn, Grant, Meadow, and Easton.

Visitation will be at the John M. Taylor Funeral Home on Saturday, May 24 from 2-4 pm. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial donation may be made to:

• AYC Junior Fleet Program Annapolis Yacht Club, PO Box 908, Annapolis MD 21404. Checks payable to Annapolis Yacht Club/Junior Fleet

• Annapolis Maritime Museum https://72332a.blackbaudhosting.com/72332a/Memorial The AMM educates youth and adults about the Annapolis area’s rich maritime heritage and Chesapeake Bay ecology through programs, exhibits and community events.