Wayne C Smith

Never forget where you came from. Your growth is found in your roots and it’s made you the person you are today. Wayne C. Smith never forgot where he came from. In fact, he never left his roots of good 'ole Gloucester City. Wayne was friendly, outgoing, “chatty” and hardworking. Although he could be firm yet funny, the blue and gold of GHS were at his core and he had the heart of a lion.

In early spring, on Monday, April 26, 2021, our beloved Wayne C. Smith suddenly died at the age of 76 but blessed us all with faith, community, family and “Wayne’s Funnel Cakes.”

Wayne sprouted up on 9th st in Gloucester City in the mid winter of 1945 along with eight other siblings. He graduated from Gloucester City High School, class of 1963 and remained forever loyal to his alma mater serving as a longtime President of the Gloucester City High School Alumni Association. He had also been a lifetime “Mustang” and member of the Memorial Athletic Association. He coached for numerous years for the Carmen Palmyra Basketball League. Wayne held his faith dear and had been a lifetime congregant of the Trinity United Methodist Church on Division St.. He made his career working as a marine machinist in shop #38 at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard. Following his retirement Wayne became the proprietor of “Wayne’s Funnel Cakes” and enjoyed serving at many area events. At home, he cheered on the Alabama Crimson Tide. He wasn't shy sharing the statistics of each player. He had a green thumb. He adored baking, gardening, working outdoors around his home and in the greenhouse out back. To get away from it all for a little rest and relaxation, he enjoyed his annual vacations to Myrtle Beach, SC.

Wayne is the widower of his late wife of 52 years, Janet (nee Torpey). He is survived by his children Kimberly (Joseph Driscoll), Christie Smith-Hall (fiance Kevin Parry) and Thomas Smith. Wayne was the proud grandfather of Luke, Allison, Liam, Bridget, Riley, Tamlin and Connor. He is also survived by and will be sadly missed by his sister Janet Burrows.

Relatives, friends and loved ones are invited to join sharing memories with the Smith family. We’ll be chatting about sports, laughing about funnel cakes and remembering a loving and dedicated husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend on Thursday evening from 7:00pm - 9:00pm and Friday morning 11:00am - 12:00pm at Creran Celebration Etherington & Creran Funeral Homes 700 Powell St. Gloucester City. A funeral ceremony will be celebrated at 12:30 pm at Trinity United Methodist Church 741 Division St. Gloucester City. We will celebrate love’s reunion, graveside at Woodbury Memorial Park 879 Kings Highway, West Deptford. As an expression of sympathy and in lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Gloucester City High School Alumni Association ℅ Tom Smith 35 Haverford Ave. Gloucester City, NJ 08030.

#crerancelebration #heartfelt