Obituary of Patrick Anthony Smith

Patrick Anthony Smith passed away peacefully after a long illness with his family by his side on Sunday, September 22, 2024.  Born in Long Beach, CA, Patrick was raised in Morristown, NJ alongside his brother Paul and large extended family.  He was a Morristown High School graduate, class of 1962.

Patrick attended Rutgers University before proudly serving in the U.S. Army Reserves.  He became an electrician affiliated with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW).  Pat was a proud member of IBEW Local 581 for over 60 years and served as its president for 15 years.  He married his fellow MHS alum Karalee James on June 15, 1968.  The couple settled into their adopted hometown of Denville to raise a family of their own.  Pat could be seen on the baseball fields at Gardener or prowling the football sidelines as coach of the Denville Blue Angels.  He, Karalee and friends started Denville’s PAL-lympics bringing fun and a sense of community to Denville.  Patrick also served on Denville’s Planning Board.  

Patrick’s greatest love was his family.  He was a wonderful husband to his wife Karalee for over 56 years  and adoring father to his two kids, Jeffrey Patrick Smith and daughter Amy Simone and proud grandfather (“Gompoo”) to his grandson Daniel Simone.  Patrick’s compassion and caring for others was plain to see for all who knew him.  He taught apprenticeship classes to new electricians, mentored and coached Denville’s youth and found friends wherever he went.  Pat loved to travel and with his wife and dear friends traveled all over America and Europe.  He was an avid golfer, devoted football fan (officially of the Jets as a season ticket holder but in reality, a long-time Giants fan) and loved to enjoy relaxing by his pool or down in Cape May with loved ones. 

Patrick was the undisputed best meatball maker and his sauce was legendary as all who attended his annual Petrozzo family reunions would attest.  As one of fourteen grandchildren of Italian immigrants, he cherished his time with his cousins and loved bringing family or friends together to create lifelong memories. In both his personal life and career, he was a compassionate leader who encouraged and uplifted his colleagues, always ready to lend a helping hand and inspire others to reach their full potential.

Patrick Smith was a remarkable person whose life illuminated the paths of those fortunate enough to know him. He will be dearly missed but always celebrated in the stories we share and the love we continue to carry forward.  Pat was predeceased by his mother Grace Petrozzo Smith and father Paul E. Smith, Sr. and his in-laws Helen and Pugar James.  Patrick`s survivors include his devoted wife Karalee Smith, loving children Jeffrey Smith and  daughter-in-law Michele Nicholson, and Amy Simone and her husband Dan Simone and his cherished grandson Daniel.  He is also survived by his brother Paul Smith and sister-in-law Dale and beloved nieces Kelly Bretz, Tracy Bryce, Megan Smith and their families  as well as his brother-in-law Tom James and sister-in-law Virginia Jablonski and his nieces Gillian Galgan and Abby Hatch and their families. 

Relatives and friends are welcome to join the family for a Visitation on Sunday, September 29th from 2 pm - 5pm and a Service on Monday, September 30th at 10:00AM at Norman Dean Home for Services, 16 Righter Avenue, Denville.  A graveside service will follow immediately after at Locust Hill Cemetery, Dover NJ. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are being accepted in Patrick`s memory to The Morris Educational Foundation by way of inmemof.org. Please leave a condolence or share your favorite memory of Patrick here to continue to celebrate his life and let his light shine.