Francis Smyth, Jr.

Francis James Smyth, Jr., passed away on July 20, 2021 at the age of 85. He was born in Queens, NY, in 1935, and moved to Jacksonville Beach, FL, in 1958, where he lived with his beloved family for the rest of his life.

Francis served as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy from 1957-1961, when he began a distinguished teaching career at Bishop Kenny High School. He taught English at Bishop Kenny from 1961-2000, inspiring generations of students to love literature, language, and writing. He served St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Jacksonville Beach as a lector and eucharistic minister, and later in life he volunteered at Baptist Beaches Hospital. In all public duties, he was known for high standards, a keen wit, and love and respect for life at all stages.

Francis is survived by daughters Martha and Aggie; sons Paul and Andrew; son-in-law Jeff; daughters in-law Jeanne and Elena; grandchildren Jeffrey, Rebecca, Kaitlin, and Maria; sister Jayne, and brother Gregory. He was predeceased by his lifelong love, partner, and wife, Maria, and by his son, Francis.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:30 a.m. on Monday, July 26, in St. Paul’s Catholic Church with Reverend Monsignor Michael R. Houle as Celebrant. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Bishop Kenny High School at https://www.bishopkenny.org/giving/make-a-gift-today.