Jack Paul Smith, 89, of Salisbury, died Sunday, April 30, 2017. Born  Oct. 7, 1927, in Philadelphia, he was the son of the late Evelyn Sullivan Smith and Joseph Smith.

Smith attended schools in the Philadelphia area before graduating from Washington College in Chestertown in 1952. After graduation, he began his sales career with Pittsburgh Paint & Glass and moved to Salisbury, where he met his future wife, Anne Reed Smith, when he enrolled in an adult typing class being taught by Anne at Wicomico High School.

Smith was a sports enthusiast having umpired and coached many years in the Salisbury Little League and was probably best known, and almost always recognized, as a longtime high school men and women’s basketball referee throughout the Maryland, Delaware and Virginia area.

He was a founder of the Salisbury Lions Club Holiday Basketball Classic that continues annually in Salisbury, and was a Past President of the Salisbury Jaycees and the Salisbury Lions Club (1973-1974).

He was the recipient of numerous awards with the Lions Club including the Lion of the Year (1990-1991), Outstanding Service Award (1992-1993, 1993-1994), and the President’s Appreciation Award (1996-1997).

In addition, Smith received an award in 1974 for his many years of dedication and service to the Youth of the St. Francis De Sales Parish.

After retiring from PP&G, he and his wife traveled extensively, including several trips to The Championships at  Wimbledon the French Open in Paris, and 30-plus years of consecutive attendance at the US Open Tennis Championships in New York City.

A U.S. Army veteran, he was a former member of the St. Francis De Sales Church in Salisbury, Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Delmar and St. Leo the Great Catholic Church in Bonita Springs, Fla.

He was was predeceased by his only child, Paul Jack Smith, in 1980; and his sisters, Evelyn and Josephine Smith. He is survived by his wife of nearly 63 years, Anne Reed Smith and numerous close friends.

A Catholic Mass was held Friday, May 5, 2017, at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church on Bi-State Boulevard in Delmar’ Interment at Parsons Cemetery in Salisbury.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Jack can be made to St. Francis De Sales Parish, Salisbury, Maryland, St Leo the Great Catholic Church, Bonita Springs, Florida, Washington College, Chestertown, Maryland or a charity of your choice.