Arthur Francis Smith, O.S.A., was born on November 16, 1925, in Albany, NY, the son of Arthur Smith and Anne (Hess) Smith. His grandfather was the Honorable Alfred Emanuel "Al" Smith, former governor of New York and Democratic presidential candidate in 1928. Fr. Smith had one sister and three brothers, one of whom, Alfred, (1931-1986), was an Augustinian. Arthur was baptized on December 26, 1925, in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Albany, NY. He attended St. Mary Star of the Sea Parish School, Long Island, NY, (1932-1933), and Holy Trinity Parish School, New York, NY, (1933-1940). He attended De LaSalle Institute, (1940-1941), and Iona Preparatory School, (1941-1944). He served in the Armed Services, 1944-1946. He then began studies at Villanova College, 1946-1949. On September 9, 1949, he was received into the novitiate at Good Counsel Novitiate, New Hamburg, NY, and professed first vows on September 10, 1950. He returned to Villanova College and completed his studies in 1951 with a BA in Philosophy. From 1951 to 1955, he studied theology at Augustinian College, Washington, DC, and also completed an MA at Villanova College, in History. He professed Solemn Vows on September 10, 1953 and was ordained to the priesthood on June 5, 1954, by Bishop John McNamara, at the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Washington, DC.

After a summer assignment to Our Mother of Consolation Parish, Chestnut Hill, PA, (1955), his first assignment was to Archbishop Carroll High School, Washington, DC, (1955-1963), where he taught US History, Religion and later was Vice-Rector in charge of studies. From 1963 to 1987 he was assigned to Austin Preparatory School, Reading MA, where he taught History and Religion, and served as Vice-Rector for Studies, Moderator of the National Honors Society, and Moderator of the Friends of Austin. In 1987, he was assigned to Saint Thomas Monastery, Villanova, PA, and served first as Assistant Archivist and then, from 1988 to 1995, as Archivist of the Province. He then continued as Assistant Archivist, but with failing health, he retired from this work. After a long illness, he passed over to the Lord on Saturday, February 17, 2007.

Fr. Art was honored by Austin Preparatory School, Reading, MA, when it named after him its Library, Media Center, Reference and Research Center, in recognition of his twenty-four years at the school. He was part of the school’s founding faculty and its first Academic Dean. He was firmly dedicated to the Province’s ministry in Secondary Education and spent 32 years in that ministry. On one of the anniversaries of his ordination, in an interview, Fr. Art said: “Such reflections that I might have can be summed up in the words, gratitude and continued awe. Gratitude to Almighty God for the gift of the religious priesthood, and to the members of the Order who have assisted me…, and awe that God continues to favor me with his love.”

A funeral Mass was celebrated on February 22, 2007, at Saint Thomas of Villanova Church, Villanova, PA. Fr. Art is buried at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Valhalla, NY, where his family, including his brother, Alfred E. Smith, OSA, is buried.

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I treasure the memories of my nearly twenty years of close collaboration with Father Arthur at Austin Prep and our four decades of friendship. The academic foundation he laid down for us continues to be the solid ground on which our curriculum stands as we move into a new century. His incisive wit, his skill in the classroom, and his kind heart helped to shape a generation of Austin Prep students. Although I'll miss him, I rejoice that he has entered into the fullness of that eternal life that began for him on the day after Christmas in 1925.

Art and I were ordained together and spent 7 years together at Carroll High School. We were good friends. Just after ordination, we found ourselves in NYC attending a Broadway show we both loved: "Three for Tonight" with Harry Belafonte and Marge and Gower Champion.

The audience roared its approval as Harry and Marge danced together -- a marvel to see a black man and white woman dancing together. We often shared our pleasure we enjoyed that night.

I will miss Art.

Jerry

Fr. Smith is my uncle. My mother, Anne, was his only sister. I have many memories of him that I treasure. He was a wonderful priest, uncle, friend and role-model for his many nieces and nephews, one of whom became a Jesuit priest. Uncle Art was an accomplished teacher for many years and enjoyed that time. My favorite time with Uncle Art occurred during his later years when he met Mary Ellen Lukas. Mary Ellen is a most blessed woman who has an amazing gift for making Jesus so real and present. She teaches all that the Church has always taught: the Real Presence of Jesus in the Holy Eucharist. When Fr. Art met her, his faith, his priesthood were invigortated in the most beautiful way. Fr. Uncle Art blossomed and I saw him in the fullness of his priesthood. He gave wonderfully instructive homilies, heard countless confessions and it was such a privlege for me to see such joy in him. Fr. Art radiated the love of Jesus Christ to all who met him at the talks that Mary Ellen gave. My mother, Anne, was so grateful and I am so grateful to have witnessed this relatively short but profound time in his life. After his sister's death in 1998, Uncle Art's health failed. He was not able to travel as he had and my visits where all too infrequent. His family is so grateful to the wonderful nurses in the infirmary who lovingly took care of him on a daily basis. The funeral liturgy last evening was moving and his Augustinian brothers shared so many anecdotes and stories with us. He suffered much the past few years with an accompanying "crankiness" but his humility, awe and gratitude for his vocation as a priest was remarked upon by all. And his wry and sly sense of humor were enjoyed by those who perservered past his exterior! May he rest in peace. Praised be Jesus Christ!

I have many memories with Uncle Art. I recall visiting him at Austin Prep in the late 1970's and then travelling up the coast to Maine, then across New England to Albany to visit the Hess relatives. Uncle Art was full of stories about his time in the service, his relationship with his brother and sister, and of course his devotion to the priesthood. Uncle Art and Uncle Alfred followed a family tradition in joining the Augustinians, having been influenced early on by their mother's first cousin, Thomas Ambrose Burke, OSA. Tommy Burke married my parents in 1953, and was known affectionately as "Tabby" to us kids, because of his initials. Fr. Tom was the nephew of Augustinian Bishop William Ambrose Jones, OSA. Our family is grateful to God of that history and four generations which have produced five vocations to the priesthood. Fr. Arthur was proud of those connections as well. His greatest gift to me came through his example of quiet, devotional prayer. We always knew when Uncle Art came to visit, his routine was shaped by his devotion to praying the Liturgy of the Hours. There are too many memories. May he rest in the arms of God, the Awesome One (as Uncle Arthur liked to refer to the Father.)

I have happy memories of Fr. Smith from my days as a student at Archbishop Carroll High School in Washington, DC. Two memories in particular: Once when he caught me cheating on an exam and let me off easy with just a verbal reprimand, and the other when he told my father at a parent - teacher conference that I was not as focused a kid as my father thought. When my father got home that evening I got raked over the coals. I did straighten up, at least in Father Smith's class. And now I'm back at Carroll as a priest of the Archdiocese of Washington and remembering Father Smith and the many other good Augustinian priests who helped me to become a better person. I will offer Mass for the repose of his soul and ask the Lord to help me to live as true to my calling as a priest as Arthur Smith lives his vocation.

I studied U.S. history with Fr. Smith at Archbishop Carroll High School in 1962. He was a thoughtful and erudite man whose own respect for knowledge and learning brought to many of us a clearer understanding of the power and grace of truth.We were fortunate to have such a spirit as his and many of the other friars at such a pivotal time in our lives. I trust he doesn't 'rest' in the Lord, but fulfills the full glory for which God made him.

Father Smith was my freshman home room and religion teacher. The rumor was that he was a grandchild of 'the' Al Smith. He once related that he had cut the ribbon for the opening of the Empire State Building. Later that year on "Yesterday's Newsreel" the scene was played and the Fr. Smith youth was there. Then we knew he was really related to the Al Smith. His teaching skills were superior and his demeanor was always professional. I often think of my days at Carroll and Fr. Smith is one of the highlights of that education. R.I.P.

Father Artie was one teacher a young student can not ignore. In some ways, he was larger than life and, perhaps, a bit intimidating. Heck, he was the only teacher I knew as a young Catholic boy from Washington, D.C. who'd not hesitate to toss out a strong expletive or two when he needed our attention. He was a history teacher at Archibishop Carroll who loved his profession as he loved history. He would have never remembered me, a C student at best in those days. But I always remembered him. Years after graduating high school, I, the former middling student, received my Ph.D. in American history. I have since written two books and numerous articles and have become fairly well known in my field. I owe part of my successs to Father Smith. I shall never forget him.

I had Fr. Smith for American History in 1961 while a student at Archbishop Carroll High School. To this day I can still recall the animated discussion we shared over the validity of the arguments presented by the South for their attempted secession. He was that kind of teacher who could provoke thought remembered for over 45 years!

I am a 1963 graduate of Archbishop Carroll High School. During my four years there, I had many occasions to interact with Fr. Smith. He was never my teacher in the classroom but I learned much from him about living a Christian life. I am sorry now that I never stayed in touch with my teachers after graduation.

Reflection by Rayhmond F. Hilliard:

Fr. Smith was my Western Civ history teacher in ninth grade at Archbishop Carroll High School in Washington, D.C. in 1957-58. He was an excellent teacher who helped inspire in me a life-long interest in history. He was also an extraordinarily kind man, as were all of the Augustinian Friars I knew at Carroll. I came from a difficult background, having lost both parents at an early age and having to live with foster parents while I was in high school. Fr. Smith knew this and went out of his way to look after me. It was a great honor when, in the spring of 1958, he invited me to attend the ordination of his younger brother as an Augustinian Friar. About ten years ago I wrote to Fr. Smith at Villanova--we'd had no contact since I graduated from Carroll in 1961. He wrote a gracious reply that I've treasured ever since.