Cecil Smith

Cecil Elmo Smith, 95, passed away on Monday, April 17, 2017, at Frostburg Village Nursing Care Center.

Born on June 25, 1921, in Hoffman, MD, he was the son of the late Eugene and Sadie (Lavin) Smith.

In addition to his parents, Cecil was preceded in death by the love of his life, Ginny Reynolds Smith, whom he married on February 20, 1945.  Their marriage was a love affair, the kind from which fairy tales are made.He was also preceded in death by his sisters, Mildred Lewis, Rosemary McElfish and Pauline Warn; brother, Eugene Smith; a much beloved grandson, Michael Vanderhout; and son-in-law, Arie Vanderhout.

Cecil was a 1939 graduate of Beall High School. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps in October of 1942 and was honorably discharged in February of 1946.  While serving in the Air Corps, Cecil was an Altitude Training Technician.  He retired in June 1983 from the Celanese Corporation where he worked in the Solvent and Recovery Department.

He was a faithful member of St. Michael Catholic church where he was an active volunteer and servant.  He was a life member of the Frostburg Elks, where he held numerous chairs including Exalted Ruler and was Esquire for many years.  He was also chairman for the Veteran’s Service.  Cecil was selected as Officer of the Year four times.  He was a member of the Frostburg K of C. #1442, where he held several chairs and was a volunteer bartender for many years.  Cecil was a life member of Frostburg American Legion Farrady Post 24 and was a member of the Post Honor Guard.  He was a charter member of the WWII Memorial in Washington, DC, and a member of the WWII Memorial in New Orleans, LA.  He was chosen Frostburg’s Outstanding Citizen of the year in 2016.

Cecil is survived by his daughter Betty Vanderhout, of Wilmington, DE; grandson Gregory Vanderhout and wife Ann Marie of Newark, DE; great-grandsons Zachary Vanderhout of Rochester, PA, and Ashton “Dutch” Vanderhout of Newark, DE; step-great granddaughter Tara Justice; brother Francis Dale Smith and wife Pat; sister-in-law Lois Smith; nieces Rose Ann Zimmerman and husband Larry, Mary Cecelia McElfish, Roberta Teach and husband Scott, Mary Rita Zembro, Mary Jane O’Rourke, Sharon Miller and husband Ben; Susan Reynolds and Elizabeth McQuire and husband Matt; nephews Patrick O’Rourke and wife Barbara, Larry Reynolds and wife Diane and Michael Reynolds and wife Holly.

Also surviving are two adoptive families, Edna Atkinson and her family and Craig Kenney and his family.

At his request, his body was donated to the Maryland State Anatomy Board.  A Memorial Mass and Celebration of Life is being planned for a later date with inurnment in St. Michael’s Cemetery.

The family requests memorial donations, in Cecil’s name, be made to St. Michael’s Catholic Church, Divine Mercy Parish, 44 E. Main Street, Frostburg, MD 21532.

Cecil will always be remembered for his philosophy on life: “Ask me, and if I can, I will”.  He lived his life by that motto, always ready to help any and all who asked.  He will be greatly missed by all who knew and love him.  He and Ginny send all a “Big Hug”.