Obituary of Richard Smith

Richard "Smitty" Smith died Wednesday January 27 at his home in Hopatcong. He was 80 years old. Born in Dover, he was raised in Rockaway Valley-Boonton and has lived in Hopatcong for 27 years. A machinist for Marotta Valve in Boonton for 20 years, he followed this as a self-employed truck driver for 10 years. He then was the owner/operator of Smitty's Hopatcong House and owner of the Villa Nova Apartments and Rooms in Hopatcong for more than 20 years. An Army Paratrooper with the 187th Airborne, he served in the Korean Conflict from 1951-1953. He was the recipient of the Combat Infantry Medal, the OCC Medal, the Korean Service Medal with one Bronze Star and the United Nations Service Medal. He was a lifetime member of the V.F.W. in Morris Plains and lifetime member and Rider at American Legion post 391 in Mine Hill. Beloved husband of Patricia Marie (Braisted). Cherished son of the late Cecil Morford Smith and the late Anna Marie (Bott) Smith. Devoted father of Debbie Smith and her husband Scott of Chatham, Sheela Lopez of Mine Hill and her ex-husband Vincent Lopez of Dover, Sandy LaBell and her husband Joe of Stanhope and Kathy Smith and her friend Robert Christie of Dover. Dear brother of Jeanette Crocetti and her husband Frank of Hellertown, PA. Loving grandfather of eight and great grandfather of one. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend a memorial service on Saturday January 30 from 3-6 pm at Leber-Lakeside Funeral Home, 150 Landing Road, Landing. A prayer service will be offered at 6:00 Saturday evening at the funeral home.