I was very saddened to hear that my good friend JB had passed away. I first met JB during our freshman year at Notre Dame when we were both living in Zahm Hall. We became close friends and roomed together for the next two and a half years.

One of my favorite memories goes back to the time we were living together off campus. There was a little restaurant about a block from our house called the Bob Inn, and we ate there often. One evening, a group of nursing students from Saint Joseph’s nursing school was there, and we struck up a conversation with them. One of the girls was Janice Quinlan. She and JB hit it off that night, and as it turned out, that was the beginning of a lifelong romance.

JB was just a wonderful person to be around. He was always positive, always good company, and he seemed to enjoy whatever we happened to be doing. He was my best friend during those years, and I have always remembered those days with great fondness.

I feel very fortunate to have known him and to have shared those years with him. I will remember JB warmly and with gratitude.
Bill Sullivan

Notre Dame is famous for its character; however, in my view, it is equally famous for its characters.  Throughout all the intervening years since I first met JB, I have "dined-out" on his legendary life.
I once asked a fellow student if he knew JB Smink.   He thought a moment, and replied that he did not.  I then asked him if he'd ever seen a fellow flip a half-dollar up in the air; bounce it off his heel; and catch it, and a light went on in his eyes.  "Yes!" he replied.  THAT'S JB Smink, I said.
JB had perfected the Pop Gates basketball shot.  That's when you stand at the free-throw line; put the ball behind you; bend over and heave it towards the goal.  JB could consistently hit three out of five.
On the academic side, one day in our junior year, a bunch of us were standing around comparing grades.  In those days, you needed a combined average of 77 to graduate, i.e., you could pass all the courses with a 70 or 75 and still not graduate.
We went around the group, comparing grades.  I think I had abou an 83.4 or thereabouts.  When we came to JB, he replied that he had a 77.1.  "77.1!" we exclaimed.  "Aren't you worried?"  He replied "Worried? Why" i"ve got a tenth of a point to screw around with."  Now I'm not sure if he was telling the truth; he was the greatest dead-pan comic that I've ever seen.
The world is a duller place without him, but I'll bet he's raising you-know-what in Heaven!

The world at large has lost a wonderful man.  I have many positive memories.  Most of my contact with JB had been before, during and after the many RHS basketball games he attended in support of the players and coaching staff. JB will be missed.  Best Wishes to Jan.

John Schulte

Very glad to have had the opportunity to meet and chat with JB at several family events over the years.
Blessings on his memory and family.

Family friend, Doug Watts

We were very lucky to have know JB and spent some wonderful holidays and times with him, Jan, Pat, and Tony.  He made us laugh with his witty rapport and abundance of jokes and taught us the finer points of Michigan Rummy.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Jan,, Pat, Tony, Jerry and Darcy.  

God bless you JB, you will be missed.

OBITUARY

John Brennan Smink

December 26, 1936 – August 2, 2026

Alleva Funeral Home, Inc.

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Visitation at Daylesford Abbey

Mass of Christian Burial

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