Obituary of Howard R. Smith

Howard R. Smith- Husband, Father, Salesman, Grandad, Great-Grandad, Coach, Mentor, and Friend

Howard R. Smith (age 90) of Randolph, NJ died peacefully on December 30, 2024, surrounded by his loving family.

Howard was born in East Orange, NJ on January 17, 1934. He graduated from Long Branch High School in 1952.

After high school, he enlisted in the Navy and was a veteran of the Korean conflict, serving as a Radarman Second Class on board the destroyers USS Ammen DD527 and the USS Dyess DDR880. He had sailed around the world in a destroyer class ship before the age of 21. He was a proud member of the “Tin Can Sailors Association” which are sailors that served on a US Navy class Destroyer,

After the Navy he leveraged the GI Bill and attended Monmouth College and graduated in 1960. While at Monmouth, Mr. Smith won four letters in basketball and two letters in baseball.  He was the first center to the first Monmouth men’s basketball team.

Upon graduation from Monmouth, he joined the Burroughs Corporation which began a 40-year career as a salesman/sales executive with companies Itel, MSA (Management Science America), as well as other companies in the computer software industry. Howard was proud of his career in sales and the numerous top salesman awards and recognition he had received over the years.

Mr. Smith resided with his family in Florham Park for 22 years, where he volunteered his time on the Recreation Committee and on the Board of Assessments. Howard also was very involved in coaching youth sports in Florham Park. He was the Boys 7th grade basketball coach and “B Team” football coach for 20 years each. He attributed his football coaching success to his lucky plaid pants that helped the “Falcons” B team to a number of championships. Many of the young men that grew up in town played for Howard over the years. Later in his life, he also coach basketball at Morris Catholic High School, and County College of Morris.

He was a devoted father, grandfather, and great-grandfather who cherished spending time with his three children, seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He is survived by his wife Dr. Doris V. Smith, and his children, Kurt and his wife Joan (Howard), Steven and his wife Barbara (Jozefiak), and loving daughter Andrea. He loved his grandchildren, Eric, Luke, Drew, Jack, Shea, Lauren, and Allyson, and his two great-grandchildren Ella and Lucy. He is survived by his brother Edward and sister Phyllis Walters.

He passed away with a well-used mind, soul, and heart.

Visitation will be held on Friday, January 3rd, 2025 from 2:00-4:00PM and 6:00-8:00PM at Tuttle Funeral Home on Route 10 in Randolph, NJ.

A Funeral Service will also be at Tuttle Funeral Home on Saturday, Jan 4th, 2025 at 10:00AM. Interment to follow at Restland Memorial Park in East Hanover, New Jersey. 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to PALS Programs. 

Mailing Address: 

PALS Programs 

30 S 15th St 

Ste 1550 PMB 98586

Philadelphia, PA 19102-4806