David A. “Dave” Smith, Sr.

David A. “Dave” Smith, Sr., age 80, of Bear, DE, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family on Friday, December 20, 2024.

Born in Philadelphia, PA, on December 3, 1944, he was the son of the late James and Anne (Lemon) Smith. A 1963 graduate of Bishop Neumann High School in South Philly, Dave started his working career as a ramp service employee for TWA at the Philadelphia airport, where he met the love of his life, Kay. He enlisted in the US Army Reserves in 1965, then spent over 30-years with the Millwright Local 1906 Union.

Dave and Kay married in 1967 and moved to Runnemede NJ, where he was a member of the St. Vincent DePaul Society at St. Maria Goretti Church. He enjoyed square dancing and was a past president of the Yearling Square Dance Club. Upon moving to Delaware in the early 90’s, Dave and Kay became members of Our Lady of Fatima Church and joined Circle Four Square Dance Club.

Dave was a master craftsman who could often be found building something in his garage or helping his children or friends, with their home projects. He also had a love for dancing and was often the first person on and last person off, the dance floor at any family event. Dave always had a smile on his face, loved his family, and treated everyone who crossed his path as a ‘friend’.

When asking Dave’s grandchildren how they would describe their PopPop, the words they shared were funny, loving, kind, caring, humble, selfless, and charming (always telling everyone how beautiful they were). “PopPop was a man of integrity; devoted to his family, faith, and the Blessed Mother. He always put his family first.” Dave loved being a PopPop and cherished every moment he spent with his seven grandchildren.

Dave is survived by his loving wife, of 57-years, Kay (Cunane) Smith; children David Smith (Melissa), Kate Godwin (Eric) and Bernadette Lane (Jamie); grandchildren, Matthew Evans, Jacob Smith, Tori Smith, Kayla Godwin, Mackenzie Lane, Ryan Godwin and James David Lane; siblings Patricia Foley (Joe) and Joseph Smith (Linda); in-laws Jean Smith, Charlie Melough, and Edward and Marie Cunane; and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins. In addition to his parents, Dave was preceded in death by his siblings James (Dorothy) Smith, Francis Smith and Anne Marie Melough; and brother-in-law Thomas Cunane.

A visitation for family and friends will be held from 5 pm until 7 pm on Thursday, December 26, 2024, at Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Home, 1000 North DuPont Parkway, New Castle, DE. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 11 am on Friday, December 27, 2024, at Our Lady of Fatima R.C. Church, 801 North Dupont Highway, New Castle, DE. Entombment will follow in Gracelawn Memorial Park, 2220 North DuPont Highway, New Castle, DE.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Dave’s memory to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, KS 66675-8516 or online by clicking here.