John L. Smith, Jr. of Holland, died peacefully on Thursday, December 11, 2014 at St. Mary Medical Center in Langhorne. He was 85.

       John was the beloved husband of 61 Years to Frances J. Segelski Smith.

       Born in Philadelphia, he was the son of the late John L., Sr. and Helen A. Wojtylak Smith.

       John was a graduate of LaSalle High School and LaSalle University. He was also a member of the Army ROTC and a proud veteran of the Army having served our country during World War II. He started his career as a police officer for the City of Philadelphia for a brief period followed by three decades of service as a special agent for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. He retired in 1981. He was also a member of the Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association. John and his wife have been residents of Holland since 1964. He was a founding parishioner and faithful communicant of St. Bede the Venerable Church.

       Since his retirement, John spent considerable time reading and learning, especially about his favorite subject matter, military history. His zeal for all of the Philadelphia sports teams also occupied his retirement time. A special summer night for John was attending a Phillies game with his sons and others followed by a trip to his favorite restaurant in South Philadelphia. There was no devotion greater than the love and respect he had for his family. He lived life by a simple code requiring kindness to everyone, coupled with an unshakeable belief that love conquers all. He will be truly missed by everyone who has had the pleasure to know and feel the power of his love. His grandchildren will especially miss his wise counsel and his endlessly fascinating stories of his experiences serving our country.

       In addition to his wife Fran, John is survived by his loving and devoted eight children and spouses; Kate Carr, John L. Smith, III, Michael Smith, James T. Smith, Esq. and his wife Debra Klebanoff, Esq., Dr. Paul D. Smith, Maureen Smith and her husband John Kliniewski, Joseph Smith and his wife Sherry and David ‘Duke’ Smith He is also survived by his 16 beloved grandchildren, his sister, Connie Barbacane and his sister-in-law, Barbara Smith.

       Relatives and friends are invited to attend his viewing on Monday, December 15, 2014 from 9:30 am until his Funeral Mass at 11:00 a.m. in St. Bede the Venerable Church, 1071 Holland Road, Holland, PA 18966. Interment will follow at Resurrection Cemetery, Bensalem.

       In lieu of flowers contributions in his memory may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.