JOHN VERNON SMITH, JR., "SMITTY", 74, of Jacksonville Beach, passed away on Wednesday, November 7, 2018, after a lengthy, courageous battle with cancer.

Smitty is survived by two sons, Paul (Tracey) and Matthew Smith; granddaughter, Sarah Smith, all of Jacksonville; sister, Sandy Bacon, of Mansfield, MA; and four brothers, Fred (Louisa) Smith of Phoenix, AZ, Joey (Michelle) of Foxboro, MA, Tommy of Mansfield, MA, and David (Debbie) Smith of Boston, MA; sister-in-law, Rita DuPree Phillips; and two brother-in-laws, Marvin DuPree and David DuPree, all of Jacksonville Beach.

Smitty is preceded in death by his loving wife of 47 years, Nancy DuPree Smith; parents, John V. Smith, Sr. and Mary Preibis Smith; and brother, Peter Smith.

Smitty was born January 3, 1944, in Norwood, MA, and lived there until he and his family moved to Jacksonville in 1979.  Smitty was a Viet Nam Era Veteran, serving in the U.S. Navy, stationed on the USS Saratoga.

Smitty was a member of St. Paul's Catholic Church.  He was also a member of the Fleet Reserve and the American Legion.  Smitty retired from Sunbelt Rentals where he was a salesman, he was an avid golfer, Red Sox and Patriots fan, as well as a Jaguars fan.

A gathering for family and friends will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 15, 2018 in the Chapel of Quinn-Shalz Funeral Home, with a Rosary at 6:00 p.m. Inurnment will be at the National Cemetery at a later date.

The family requests in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in memory of Smitty to the American Cancer Society, 1430 Prudential Dr, Jacksonville, FL 32207.