Valentine Allen Smith Jr.

Valentine Allen Smith, Jr., 96, of Wilmette passed away at home on May 22, 2014.

He was born in Chicago on December 5, 1917, to Valentine A. Smith and Etta Frazier Smith. On December 27, 1941, he married Ruth M. Pavlick and they enjoyed a loving marriage until her passing, 68 years later, in 2009.

Mr. Smith devoted his career to the family business, V.A. Smith Company in Wheeling, founded by his father in 1909. He grew the company from a home heating provider into a full-service commercial mechanical contractor. To his employees, he was a compassionate manager. To his customers, he was respected for his company’s workmanship, professionalism and integrity.

Outside of work, Mr. Smith served as the Scoutmaster for the Kenilworth Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts. An avid sailor and boater out of Wilmette Harbor, he shared this passion with his family. The Smith “crew” spent many happy vacations in Florida and Wisconsin.

He is survived by his children: Donald A. Smith of Longboat Key, FL; Suzanne S. Sprowl of Southport, CT; and Val A. Smith, III of Wilmette. Other surviving family members include his niece Mary Beth Pavlick Sauser, of Lake Forest; five grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

Memorial donations can be made to the Sheridan Shores Sailing School, 20 Harbor Drive, Wilmette, IL, 60091, so that more families can enjoy the sport that means so much to the Smith family.