Stephen Garfield Smith

On December 19, 2013, Stephen Garfield Smith, born to the late Netty Canning and F. Elwell Smith and raised in Patterson, N.J. He graduated from Patterson High School Class of 1948. He was an Aerial Photographer for the U.S. Navy from 1948-1952 and worked for Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory as a technical illustrator from 1952 until his retirement 1992.

He was greatly loved by his family in the U.S. and Canada and treasured by his friends. Like his wife, Connie, Steve was an artist and man of many talents. He was an amazing painter, spending many years perfecting his water color techniques, and doing award-winning work in other mediums. Besides the creativity, he enjoyed studying the scientific and technical aspects of painting.

He was a pilot, a punster and a poet. always ready to laugh, laughing most often at himself, and amused by observation of humanity's foibles.

He followed in his father Elwell's footsteps in having an incredibly diverse range of interests, which included physics. astronomy, geneology and theology. His scientific knowledge enhanced his appreciation of the world around him. A Canadian starry night was not just to be enjoyed for it's majestic beauty, in the company of family and friends, but provided fodder for hours of conversation on measuring the distance of stars, or their creation. He was known to quote a line from J.B. by Archibald MacLeish: Are those the starring stars I see, or are they lights not meant for me."

He was forever patient and interested with younger relatives' questions on everything, providing thoughtful, and thought-provoking responses. He enjoyed learning and sharing his knowledge in a way that inspired further search for understanding. As a brother, father, grandfather, uncle and friend, his presence will be greatly missed.

He is preceded in death by his wife Connie, daughter Donna, daughter-in-law Sharon and grandson Christopher Randall. He is survived by his sister Mary Helen Fritz, brother Al Smith, and children, Craig Smith, Diane & Louis Randall, Jimi & Dina Davis, Lynn & Tim Strunk and Pam Davis. He is also survived by 9 grandchildren.

The family will receive friends at the Donaldson Funeral Home, P.A., 313 Talbott Avenue, Laurel, Md. 20707 on Friday from 3-7 PM. Interment will be at a later date in the St. John's Anglican Church Cemetery, Baie Du Vin, New Brunswick, Canada.