David Gerald Smith was born on Thursday, September 10th, 1942 in Meadville, Crawford County, PA to Frederick & Meta Smith at 8:16am. Being the oldest, he and his siblings Melvin Smith and Victoria “Vikki” Risko grew up on their family farm Pennsylvania. A man of many talents, he was a master accordion piano player after initially attending Howard Accordion School as a young boy while in grade school. David attended and graduated Conneaut Valley High School in 1959. David would eventually attend the Humboldt Institute.
Started his career life in the ticket office of the Burlington Railroad in Chicago, Illinois. His career eventually led to him becoming the District Cargo Manager for the Mid-West US Region for Qantas Airways Limited. The majority of his career was in the air freight business.
David married Katherine “Kathy” Suhi and later had their 4 boys; David “Dave” II, Dean, Dale & Dustin.
David later met Cheryl Frey in Minnesota. and they eventually moved to New Jersey where they had their children Tiffany and Christian.
Dave was an avid traveler for both work and personal leisure visiting all over world. So much so that at one point, Dave even purchased a Cessna 152 and started taking flying lessons.
After further climbing the corporate ladder in the airfreight business David ended up working in New York. He then met Carol Sanchez and her son Steven Zupko. They married and later had their daughter Alison “Ali” and all moved to Florida.
David and Carol worked together at Deltona Memorial Funeral Home & Gardens. Unfortunately, after losing his wife Carol Smith he retired from the insurance business while in Florida.
David shared retirement life in Florida with companion Florence “Flo” Trafton where they enjoyed Florida living and traveling the country; mostly by car and RV camping. He also expressed his green thumb talents at their home.
David leaves behind 7 children: David II (predeceased), Dean, Dale, Dustin, Tiffany, Christian, Alison as well as stepson Steven Zupko. He also leaves 7 Grandchildren: David G. Smith III, Dale F. Smith, Devin Smith, Dylan Smith, James T. Puzino II, Ava E. Hernandez, Braydan L. Hernandez and 3 great grandchildren.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18