George Sherman Smith

George S. Smith, Jr. of Franklin, PA (Sandycreek Township) lost his extended, valiant battle against cancer peacefully at home, surrounded by his family at 8:49AM on Saturday, March 23, 2013. He was born July 16, 1939 to George S. Smith, MD and Ruth (Hesselgesser) Smith. On November 20, 1971, he married the former Cynthia Lee Gross in Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church, Pittsburgh, PA. His wife, a teacher at Franklin Middle School, survives, along with his four children, Heather S. Burgess and husband Todd of Cincinnati, OH, Abigail S. English and husband David of Louisville, KY, Courtney S. Polny and husband John of Pittsburgh, and George S. Smith, III of Franklin. He is also survived by his seven precious grandchildren, Ella, Raleigh and Brooke Burgess, Grace and Luke English, and Mackenzie and Cameron Polny. His brother Carl R. Smith (Sally) of Louisville, KY, sister Susan S. Eppinger (Donald) of Titusville, FL, and four nieces and nephews also survive. A 1957 graduate of Franklin High School and a 1963 Youngstown University graduate, George spent a short time working in Pittsburgh for Koppers Company in its management-training program before becoming a stockbroker with McKelvy Company in May, 1966. Over the years, he also worked for McKelvys successors, Parker/Hunter, Inc. and Janney Montgomery Scott LLC. At the time of his death, he was a Vice President of Chapin Davis Investments and had actively served his clients until mid-January. Although he lived in Sewickley and in the Pittsburgh area from 1963-2001, he made weekly trips to Franklin to visit his parents and clients and spent each summer weekend at the family cottage along the Allegheny River. In 2001, he and Cindy moved to the home they built on the site of the family cottage on River Drive and relished being back at home in small-town Franklin. He especially delighted in the times the family gathered to go to Applefest, Light-Up Night and parades, and also in helping his grandchildren discover the beauty of nature along the Allegheny River. A member of Franklins First Presbyterian Church, he was a former Trustee both there and at the Presbyterian Church, Sewickley, PA. He also belonged to The Hundred Club, Myrtle Lodge Number 316, Valley of Oil City, ASSR Valley of New Castle, and to the Syria Shrine. The family wants to extend its deepest gratitude to a dear friend, Lee P. Gilliland, for his devotion to George and the family, to the nurses and doctors of the UPMC NW Cancer Center and VNA for their guidance and kind, loving care. Following a private burial in Mt. Irwin Cemetery, a Memorial Service will be held at the First Presbyterian Church, Franklin, PA Tuesday, March 26 at 3:30 PM, where the family will receive friends immediately following. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the First Presbyterian Church, 1250 Elk Street, Franklin, PA 16323 or to the Franklin Fine Arts Council, 430 13th Street, Franklin, PA 16323. The Gardinier Funeral Home, Inc., 1315 Chestnut Street, Franklin, is handling arrangements. To send online condolences or cards, or for further information, family and friends are invited to visit www.gardinierfuneralhome.com.