James F. Smith

James Franklin Smith, age 83, passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 19th at Nightingale Nursing & Rehab Center. Born December 5, 1940 in Erie, Pennsylvania, son to the late Paul and Gertrude (Kirk) Smith, and stepson to the late Josephine Smith.

Jim or Jimmy as he was known, was a lifelong resident of Erie, PA. He attended McDowell High School and then joined the US Army. He was a paratrooper for the 82nd Airborne Division stationed in Germany. Upon returning to Erie, he met and married the love of his life, Dolores "Dolly" Paparazzo Smith with whom he recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary.

Jim worked for several local manufacturing companies; Ervite, Tanner and retired from GE Transportation.

Jim loved music and had a beautiful singing voice. He was a fan of Elvis and would often sing Elvis's songs around the house. In his younger years he was a singer and guitarist in a local band. Jim had many interests and was an outdoorsman. For many years, weekends were spent at the family camp in Tiona, PA; canoeing, fishing, snowmobiling, playing cards, hunting and archery.

After he retired, he loved to go to the casino with Dolly, take daily rides around Presque Isle and watch movies. Jim loved and took great pride in his grandchildren. He was known as Poppy to them.

In addition to his parents and stepmother, he was preceded in death by his brother Paul Smith.

Jim will be missed and his memory will live on with his family. He is survived by his loving family, wife Dolores (Paparazzo), daughter Sandra Reilly (Patrick), daughter Sherry Smith, grandchildren, Daniel Reilly (Hinata), Abigail Reilly-Eckstrom (Joseph), step-grandchild, Joshua Kunath (Katie), great grandchildren, Benjamin and Maeve, Sister-in-Law Nancy Paparazzo, brothers George Smith (Roxanne) and Jack Smith (Jackie) and many nieces and nephews.

Family and Friends are invited to call on Friday, November 1st at the John R. Orlando Funeral Home, Inc., 2122 Raspberry Street, from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. Burial will be private in Erie County Memorial Gardens. Memorials may be made to the S.O.N.S. of Lake Erie, PO Box 3605, Erie, PA 16508.