John J. Smith of Pennington, 86, died at Capitol Health of Hopewell on March 17. He was born in Hoboken, NJ and graduated from Princeton University in 1955 with an honors degree in economics. He was a member of the varsity fencing team and was elected captain in his senior year. Following commissioned service in the US Army Artillery, he joined General Electric Company’s Business Training course, where he prepared for his career as an industrial accountant. He served as a controller at plant, division and company levels at Corning Glass and The Singer Company and retired in 1982 as CFO and VP of Finance at Western Pacific Industries, Inc.
He was predeceased by his parents, Catherine Brenneisen and John Smith and his first wife, Jane, who died in 1998. He is survived by his wife, Joyce Hunt Smith, a son and daughter- in- law, Charles and Jolie Smith of Sacramento, California, a daughter and son-in-law, Barbara and Dean Gladney of Cherry Hill and two grandchildren, Laura Beth Kenny and Steven Gladney. He is also survived by his sister, Dorothy Bishop of Brick and a stepson Barry Ongradi of Oregon and a stepdaughter, Mary Beth Canulli of Ewing and five step grandchildren.
Funeral services and burial will be private. For condolences use the Blackwell Memorial Home website at blackwellmh.com. Memorial contributions may be made to Pennington Firat Aid Squad, Broemel Place, Pennington, 08534 and SAVE, 1010 Route 601, Skillman NJ 08558.