Obituary of Brian Smith

J. Brian Smith passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 16, 2016. He was 69. Born in Plainfield, NJ, he was a longtime resident of Ramsey. He attended the Carmelite Seminary High School in Hamilton, Massachusetts, graduated from Seton Hall University with a Bachelor’s degree in Communication Arts and obtained his Master’s degree in Media Studies from The New School of Social Research in New York City. Brian was the Vice President of Communications and Advertising at PSE&G in Newark before retiring in 2011. He was a parishioner at St. Paul’s Church in Ramsey, formerly a reporter with the Newark Evening News and the New York Daily News. After retiring, and while enjoying his summer home in Cape May, Brian worked at Hawk Haven Vineyard and Winery in Rio Grande, NJ, as a wine tasting room consultant. He was an adjunct professor teaching public relations at Ramapo College for 10 years, and an avid Seton Hall basketball fan. Brian enjoyed traveling with his wife, Eileen, and spending quality time with his grandchildren. Brian volunteered for Meals on Wheels in the Bergen County area, loved ice cream, reading, music, his beloved dog, Baylie, and grand dogs. He is predeceased by his father James J. Smith. Brian is survived by his wife of 47 years Eileen B. Smith; four children: Christopher Barry Smith, his wife Jessica, Cara Maureen Curry, her husband John, Caitlin Jane Smith, her wife Morgan Hodges, Conor Patrick Smith; five grandchildren: Liam Huff, Declan Smith, Cormac Smith, Rian Curry and Daniel Curry. Brian is also survived by two brothers: Dennis and Timothy and a sister Maryann Derrick. Brian is also survived by Brian Huff. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, April 20, 2016 from 2-4 & 7-9 PM at the Vander Plaat Funeral Home, (vpfh.com), 257 Godwin Ave., Wyckoff. The funeral mass will be celebrated on Thursday at 10:45 AM at St. Paul’s Church, 200 Wyckoff Ave., Ramsey. Interment will be private. Contributions in Brian’s name may be made to the Ramsey Library, 30 Wyckoff Ave., Ramsey, NJ 07446.