Obituary of Franklin H. Smith

Franklin H. Smith Jr., 85, passed away on Wednesday June 21, 2017 at JFK Medical Center, in Edison. Born in Orange, New Jersey and raised in South Orange, he settled to South Plainfield in 1963. He proudly served our country in the United States Army during the Korean War from 1952 - 1954. Soon after being honorably discharged Mr. Smith, along with his wife Barbara, started their family. During his children's youth, he was a coach with South Plainfield Little League before becoming head commissioner. In addition to his involvement with Little League, Frank served on the South Plainfield Recreation Commission for 10 years. A lifelong sports enthusiast, Mr. Smith played softball for the majority of his life, belonging to various leagues throughout Middlesex, Union and Somerset Counties. He went on to play his final game at the age of 81. An avid stock car racing fan he regularly attended races. Frank was also a Boston Red Sox fan, as well as Syracuse and Seton Hall basketball fan. In addition to his loving wife, Barbara, he is also survived by his sons, Frank of South Plainfield and Robert and his wife Gail of Wilton, CT.; brother, Craig Smith and his wife Mary Ann of PA and his grandchildren, Dayna, Ryan and Megan, and his nieces, nephews, and extended family. Funeral Services will be held on Monday, June 26, 2017 at 9AM in the McCriskin - Gustafson Home for Funerals 2425 Plainfield Ave. South Plainfield, NJ followed by a 10AM funeral mass at Sacred Heart RC Church, South Plainfield. Interment will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, East Hanover. Visitation will be held on Sunday, June 25, 2017 from 3-:00 to 7:00PM at the funeral home.