Obituary - Norman R. Smith

Norman R. Smith, died peacefully at Longwood at Oakmont, September 1, 2013, at the age of 90. 

Norman was born December 9, 1922 to George H. and Grace (Bieseker) Smith in Pittsburgh.  He grew up in Pittsburgh and graduated from Westinghouse High School.  Following his first year in college, Norman enlisted in the Navy in 1942, intent on becoming a pilot.  He completed flight school in Pensacola, Florida and was commissioned a Naval Aviator in September, 1943.  When the Navy decided to make him a flight instructor instead of assigning him to a combat unit, Norman transferred to the U.S. Marine Corp and was attached to the 3rd Marine Division.  After training in Hawaii, Norman joined his fellow Marines in the assault on Iwo Jima, where he spent 29 days as a forward observer, directing artillery fire and calling in air support to advance the successful battle.  When Norman returned to the states, he was assigned to Cherry Point Naval Air Station.  While on leave in Kinston, N.C. he agreed to serve as a stand-in usher at a wedding for two people he did not know; it was a fateful decision.  The soloist at the wedding had looks to match her stunning voice and Norman decided, then and there, he would marry her.  Over the next few months, he successfully courted and married Mary Alice Shackelford on July 6, 1946.  The newlyweds moved to New York City, where Norman completed a B.Sc. in Business Administration and Economic Geography at Columbia University.  A daughter, Leslee, was born in New York in 1949.  Later that year, Norman moved his family back to his home town to begin a career with Mellon Bank.  Two sons, Christian and Gregory, were born in Pittsburgh in 1951 and 1953, respectively.

Norman’s career with Mellon Bank began as assistant supervisor in the Bookkeeping Department.  He moved on to serve as an Assistant Vice President in the Methods Division and Corporate Trust Division before ascending to Senior Vice President of Corporate Trust.  Norman loved Pittsburgh and supported the community through his service on numerous boards, including the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts, Methodist Church Union, Goodwill Industries, Southeastern Community Mental Health Center and Whitehall Public Library.  Norman’s faith in God was reflected in his membership and support of Baldwin United Methodist Church, where he sang in the choir and, later, Shadyside Presbyterian Church.

Norman and Mary Alice moved to Longwood at Oakmont in 2002 where they enjoyed the company of good friends and a thriving community.  Norman is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Mary Alice, who continues to reside at Longwood.  Other survivors include his brother, G.E. Robert of Arendtsville, PA and sister, Lenore Bricker of Hershey, PA.; children Leslee L. (Andrew) Fiveland of Blue Hill, ME; Christian A. (Loreen) of Helena, MT; Dr. Gregory N. (Wendy) of Pittsburgh; grandchildren Heather (Gardner), Eryn, Malcolm, Dylan, Daniel and Bergin and great-grandchildren Jack and Anna (Gardner), Ayden and Colin.

At Norman’s request, cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held Saturday, September 7, at 11:00 a.m. at Shadyside Presbyterian Church, 5121 Westminster Place, Pittsburgh.  In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Norman’s honor to Goodwill Industries Southwestern Pennsylvania or the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts. 

Arrangementswere entrusted to the English Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc. 378 Maryland Avenue, Oakmont, PA 15139. 

Online condolences may be made to english-funeral-home.com.