Francis Xavier Smith (Uncle Frank), born on October 4th, 1935, at St Francis Hospital, Wilmington, Delaware, son of John Francis Smith, Sr. and Mary Agnes (nee Kelley) Smith passed away on January 12, 2024.
He attended Salesianum School (class of 1954). He was a veteran of the Delaware Air National Guard, where he honed his craft for fixing machinery. He was the owner of Frank Smith’s Auto Body shop on Governor Printz Boulevard. He was well known to the police and to those that needed to be towed. Frank will be remembered for his lifelong devotion to cars and his family. He was always willing to help those in need, whether it be for someone who needed a job or a place to live.
The youngest of six children, he gained his knowledge from observing his siblings’ mistakes and from some very strict nuns at school. Later in life, he enjoyed country line dancing and a good crab cake. He always had nice cars.
He is predeceased by brothers - John Francis Smith, Jr. (Jack), Hugh Joseph Smith (Bro), Thomas Aquinis Smith, sister - Mary Margaret Smith O’Brien (Dr. Peg), and survived by sister - Julia Cecilia Smith Davis, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Frank will be excited to reunite with his german shepherd, Blackie.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 3, 2024 at 11:30 a.m. at McCrery & Harra Funeral Home, 3924 Concord Pike, Wilmington, DE 19803 where friends may call from 10:30-11:30 a.m. Interment will be private. Memorial contributions can be made to Faithful Friends Animal Society at https://faithfulfriends.us/donate/ or mailed to 165 Airport Rd, New Castle, DE 19720.
