Obituary of Robert Smith

Robert J. “Pete” Smith of Mendham, NJ passed away at home on March 15, 2022. He was 92 years old.

Born in Glen Ridge, NJ, to parents Joseph Thomas and Margaret Mary (Broderick) Smith, Pete grew up in Verona, NJ, attending and graduating from both St. Benedict’s Preparatory School and St. Peter’s College. He moved to Mendham, NJ, 59 years ago and has been a resident ever since.

He was a man of faith and a longtime parishioner of St. Joseph Church where he volunteered as a member of the finance committee and served as President of the St. Joseph’s School Board. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus Council 3632 in Verona, NJ.

Pete earned his CPA in 1956 and worked as a Senior Accountant at Haskins & Sells (Deloitte) before joining Welsh Farms where he held multiple executive positions until his retirement in 1998. In addition to his professional affiliations with the New Jersey and American Societies of CPAs, he also served as a Captain in the National Guard and US Army Reserves for 20 years and was a member of the Essex Troop.

Pete loved fishing, travelling, but most of all, he loved spending time with his family, especially his grandkids.

Pete is survived by his beloved wife of 62 years, Florence Smith, daughters Jennifer (Azem) Cakerri, and Megan Smith and grandchildren Nichole, Dayne, Gwen, Ryan, and Jason, and several nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his brothers Joseph T. Smith, John B. Smith, Harry Smith, and sister Eileen McDonough.

A Memorial Mass will be held on Saturday, March 19 at 1 PM at St. Joseph Church, W. Main Street, Mendham NJ 07945. Inurnment will be private for family. In lieu of flowers, donations in Pete’s memory may be made to St. Benedict’s Preparatory School in Newark, NJ.