Rev. Thomas R. Smith, 55, Fonding Pastor of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Parish

He was born to Ruth Ann Smith (nee Podlas) on June 10, 1955 in Buffalo, New York. The family moved to the Cleveland area in 1960.

Father Tom was educated at St. Henry Parochial School, St. Gregory the Great School, and Brush High School, as well as Borromeo and St. Mary Seminaries. On June 13, 1981 he was ordained into the priesthood by Bishop Anthony M. Pilla for the service of the Diocese of Cleveland at ceremonies conducted in the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist.

His first assignment was as a Parochial Vicar at St. Frances de Sales Catholic Church in Akron. On June 27, 1985 he was transferred to St. Bernadette Parish in Westlake where he served as Parochial Vicar until June 18, 1991. He later served in the same capacity at St. Malachi and St. Wenceslas parishes. On October 6, 1994 he was appointed Pastor of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Lorain. In addition to his duties as Pastor he was also appointed as the Administrator of SS. Cyril and Methodius Slovenian Parish, in October of 2009 and St. Vitus Croatian Parish in November of 2009. On March 6, 2010 he was named as the founding Pastor of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Parish at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church.

He is survived by his mother Ruth Ann Smith residing in Buffalo, sisters Deborah J. Smith-Jones of Pittsburgh, PA, Linda A. Lempner (Joseph) of Brunswick, OH, Lisa J. Smith of Buffalo, Susan C. Macro of Amherst, NY, Barbara A. Alkire of Mechanicsville, VA, Judith A. Smith of Lockport, NY, and uncles Stephen H. Podlas (Nanci) and Clinton Montague. He is also survived by many cousins, nephews, nieces, great nephews and a great niece.

He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents Stephen S. and Ruth (nee Hannon) Podlas and by his aunts Mary Judith Podlas and Barbara (nee Podlas) Montague.

Vesper Services will be conducted at 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 15 in St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Parish, 2143 Homewood Dr., Lorain. Visitation in the church will continue until 8:00 p.m. Additional visitation will be observed in the church on Friday, July 16 from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00. Most Reverend Richard Lennon, Bishop of Cleveland will serve as the Principal Celebrant with Reverend James R. Ols Pastor of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, Elyria Township, and Administrator of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Parish serving as the Homilist. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Lorain.

In lieu of flowers, the family strongly encourages memorial contributions to either Mother Cabrini’s Cupboard, 2143 Homewood Dr., Lorain, OH 44055 or to www.histio.org in honor of Father Tom’s 2 � year old great niece, Adah Ruth Lempner, who was diagnosed with Langerhans cell histiocytosis at 5 months of age.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Gluvna-Shimo-Hromada Funeral Chapel, Lorain.

To leave your on-line condolences for the family please visit www.gluvna.net.