On Monday, May 11, 2020 James Monroe Smiley, loving husband and father of three children, six grandchildren and one great-grandchild, passed away at the age of 78. James, known as Jim to his friends and family was born in Paterson, NJ on March 15, 1942 to Catherine and Ernest Smiley.
Jim grew up in the small town of Pompton Lakes, NJ where his parents owned a hardware store (Smiley’s Hardware). As a boy and young man, he helped his parents by working in the hardware store where he learned many useful skills, which helped him throughout his life. He attended Don Bosco Prep High School and then went on to earn his degree at Seton Hall University.
Soon after college he went to work for American Cyanamid but soon thereafter his father passed away so he temporarily left the corporate world to run the family hardware store until he sold it to resume his career. He worked in the corporate insurance field most of his professional life with major companies in Manhattan and Los Angeles.
In mid-life he moved to Texas to be closer to family and that is where he met his wife, Mina. They would have been married 23 years, this coming May 24. They settled in the Dallas suburb of Plano. After retiring from the corporate world, he started his own business making solar screens, which he was successful at for several years until he finally retired and sold the business. He attended St Francis Catholic Church in Frisco, TX where he was an active parishioner. In 2005 he started and set up the hospital ministry which is still going strong. Also, as an RCIA volunteer he used his skills as a photographer and videographer to video tape the Easter Vigil for the Church for several years.
He and his wife loved traveling and took many memorial trips throughout America and Europe, including several pilgrimages with their church. Jim loved his home and Christmas and Thanksgiving were his favorite holidays where the family awaited his great grilled turkey and dressing every year.
Jim was a man of many talents and interests. He was an avid fisherman and golfer. Both pursuits allowed him to enjoy his love of the outdoors and the many pleasures derived from it. He was also a very accomplished photographer in both the film and digital eras. He enjoyed building things and tinkering with household projects. Throughout his life he carried with him the skills he learned from his father at an early age at the hardware store and was a talented carpenter, plumber and all-around tradesman.
Jim was a loving and caring man and he will be deeply missed.
Jim was preceded in death by his mother Catherine “Kay” and his father Ernest “Bud”.
He is survived by his wife Mina; his three children, Michele, Lisa and James “Jimmy”; his six grandchildren, Taylor, Alessandra, Tristan, Alec, Michael and Ryan; one greatgrandchild Lincoln; and his beloved golden retriever, Gracie.
Funeral services will be held at a later date because of the current COVID restrictions on gatherings.
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