Gerard (Gary) V. Smith

Gary Smith joined the US Marines, serving two tours in Vietnam as a 1st Lieutenant in the 3rd Marine Division. Gary’s first tour was with the USMC. His second tour was with the CIA in the Covert and Special Operations Division. He was in the Elite Marine Unit (3rd Recon BN) when he was wounded in action in Danang, Vietnam in 1965. During his tour, Gary was drawn to help the children that were affected by the cruelties of the Vietnam War. He reached out to friends and family back home in Bay Shore as well as surrounding communities for help. There was a great outpouring of support. He obtained the desperately needed donations and supplies to help the children of the orphanage.

Gary was the recipient of the Purple Heart, Vietnam Service Medal, and the Rifle and Pistol Expert Badge. Prior to his honorable discharge on September 13, 1972 he achieved the rank of Captain.

While stationed at the USMC Quantico Base, VA in the Officers Candidate School Battalion, Gary was selected to the All Marine Basketball Team (1964-1965) as well as the Battalion Champion Golf Championship Team, never losing a match during the season in match play. Gary also won the last flight of the Officers Championship.

Gary graduated BSHS in 1957. He was GO Class President, senior year as well as being voted one of the top athletes in his class. He played four years of football, baseball, and basketball, the latter being his true passion. His team captured the Class A Suffolk County Basketball Championship (1956-1957 season). The team’s 20 consecutive victories overall still stands as the school record. That same year, Gary was voted MVP of the basketball team and won the Al Reid Memorial Playmaker Trophy. In 2013, he was inducted into the Bay Shore High School Hall of Fame for the Class of 1957. Gary was also inducted into the Bay Shore High School Basketball Hall of Fame.

Prior to his entry into the military, Gary graduated from Siena College in Loudonville, NY, majoring in economics and playing Division I basketball garnering numerous accolades including leading scorer, rebounder, and foul shooter (sophomore year), captain (senior year), Honorable Mention All- America, ECAC All East Team and MECAA-All Star team. He was inducted into Siena’s Basketball Hall of Fame (1980).

Gary joined the NY State Troopers following his military service (1970-1972). During his career he was part of the task force that had to take back and secure Attica State Prison during the 1971 riot.

In 1972, Gary joined his brother Bob at Pennysaver News of Brookhaven. He rose to become Chairman, President & CEO. He helped run a successful printing and mailing company, circulating to 350,000 Long Island homes. The company won top honors every year for design, display and graphics as well as for their dedication to public and community service. Gary retired from Pennysaver in 2000 securing positions at the trading desk on Wall Street for Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette and Van Alstyne, Noel & Co. He also served as Director of Marketing for Keenan, Powers & Andres, Esq. It should be noted that Gary worked on the 53rd floor of the World Trade Center and was present on September 11,2001.

Gary served on multiple organizations and charities as well as volunteered within his community. Among them were The Bishops Appeal Committee, Parish Council of St. Patrick’s Church, Board Member of Islip Hospice, Board of Directors of The Family Foundation School, volunteer for the outreach programs at St. Mary’s Church and St. Patrick’s Church and at Christa House, serving the sick and dying.

Gary and his wife, Captain Elizabeth A Christie Smith (US Army RN) have 5 children : Lisa, Fabyan (Captain in USMC stationed in Iraq), Catherine, Bernadette, & Liam G.Smith. Gary is an active member of Southward Ho Country Club where he won 2 Governors Cups and the Presidents Cup, and had a Hole in One. With Eric Ramsey Sr., Gary won the First National Bank doubles tennis tournament.