Jeffrey Edward Smith

Jeffrey E. Smith, 76, loving husband, father, and grandfather passed away on May 6, 2023 at Mountainside Medical center with his loving family by his side. Jeffrey was born in Brooklyn, NY to Norbert & Frances Smith and raised in Saddle Brook, New Jersey. At Saddle Brook High School he starred in football & baseball, captaining both teams. He played on the varsity basketball team and also earned top honors on his bowling team. After high school he attended Rutgers University where he went on to earn MVP honors on the football team. He would graduate from Fairleigh Dickinson University with degrees in Finance and Accounting.  

In 1972 Jeff married his wife Virginia at St. John the Baptist church in Jersey City. They briefly resided in New York City before moving to New Jersey in 1976.  They celebrated their 50^th anniversary in 2022. They would go on to have 5 children and 14 grandchildren who lovingly referred to him as ‘Pop’.

Jeff spent most of his career in Finance, beginning as an accountant at Coopers & Lybrand in San Francisco, Fort Lauderdale, & New York.  He would go on to serve as Chief Financial Officer for Alpharma Inc. in Fort Lee for over 17 years before serving in the same role at PDI Inc. in Upper Saddle River. When he retired, Jeff’s favorite pastimes were playing golf & tennis. He enjoyed going to Broadway plays – Le Mis was his favorite! He also loved to spend time with his family at their house at the Jersey shore, where he will forever be remembered sitting on the porch with a martini in his hand and a smile on his face.

He is survived by his wife Ginny (nee Ward); his children Jeff (and his wife Kelly), Tim, Jill (and her husband Dan), Brooke (and her husband Stephen) & Michael; and his 14 grandchildren Matthew & Andrew Smith; Emily, Christian & Luke Smith; Madelyn, Colin, Liam & Theo Granite; Gus, Remy, Indie & Graham Kendrick; and Anabelle Smith

Jeff’s visitation will be held at Gray Funeral Home, 318 E. Broad Street, Westfield on Thursday May 18, 2023 from 4 to 8 pm. His funeral mass will be celebrated at St. Helen Roman Catholic Church, 1600 Rahway Ave, Westfield on Friday May 19, 2023 at 10 am. Interment will follow in Fairview Cemetery, Westfield. Please go to: www.grayfuneralhomes.com to offer condolences. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Jeffrey's name to www.aldfoundation.org or or www.bu.edu/amyloid/donate.