Joseph T. Smith
Joseph T. Smith of Southold died April 24. He was 65 years old.
He was born Aug. 6, 1953, to Dorothy (nee Carley) and Walter Smith in Brooklyn, N.Y.
After school, he went on to own and operate J’s Classic Automotive & Repairs in Valley Stream, N.Y., eventually moving out to Southold where he worked at Mullen Motors. He loved anything to do with the automotive industry. He also enjoyed boating, the Yankees and animals.
His friends at Mullen Motors put it perfectly when they wrote: “Wednesday, April 24 — we lost a good man. Joe Smith — ‘Smitty’ — a man who the only thing he loved more than his work was his family. A very colorful character indeed, as witnessed by the hat on his head — most of what made him so colorful can’t be repeated here, but also possessive of a huge heart. He helped everyone he worked with, and anyone who came to him seeking his help was never turned away. The man could repair anything automotive. He would walk around the shop, muttering the word “junk,” his voice dripping with contempt as he spoke it — because he knew that most things could be made better but all too often whatever it was that he was dealing with was constructed with some kind of cost-saving shortcut in mind. A true mechanic, not merely a parts-changer. His departure leaves a huge void in the Mullen family and he will be sorely missed. Rest in peace, Joe — your codes have all been cleared.”
Joseph was predeceased by his daughter, Anna Marie in 1996. He is survived by his wife, Nancy Smith; children Catherine Smith, Thomas Smith and his wife Trisha, Jennifer Mudd and her husband Stephen, Theresa Smith and Patrick Smith; and grandchildren Damian Smith and Anna Marie Mudd.
The family received friends April 26 at DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Home in Southold. The Liturgy of Christian Burial was celebrated April 27 at Saint Patrick’s R.C. Church in Southold, officiated by Father John Barrett. Interment followed at Holy Rood Roman Catholic Cemetery in Westbury.
Memorial donations may be made to United Cerebral Palsy Nassau School of Development, 380 Washington Ave., Roosevelt, NY, 11575 in memory of Joseph’s late daughter Anna Marie Smith.
This is a paid notice.
