Bryant Haskins Smith

Bryant Haskins Smith, age 86, of Lorain, passed away peacefully at Avon Place on the morning of Saturday February 17, 2024 following an extended illness. He was born in Graham, North Carolina on November 20, 1937 and had been a resident of Ohio since 1960. Bryant was a veteran of the United States Army where he fulfilled duty assignments as a communications specialist in Southeast Asia during the Viet Nam War. He was a long-time member of Italian-American Veterans Post # 1 in Lorain. Upon his return from military service, he joined the Elyria Telephone Company embarking on a career in telephony that spanned thirty-seven years. He retired from the company’s successor, Windstream, in 2001. Bryant was member of the Eastside Block Watch as well as an active parishioner of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Lorain where he formerly served as an usher. A familiar face at the Lorain Senior Center, he also played an integral role in the establishment and emerging popularity of the annual tree and model train display at the Black River Landing during the Christmas season. When free time permitted, Bryant enjoyed traveling as well as testing his luck at various casinos. Additional interests included vegetable gardening, canning, and cooking. He is survived by his wife of sixty-one years Julia A. (nee Blankenship), along with sons Douglas A. Smith (Susan) of Lorain and David J. Smith (Tammy) of Brecksville. Additional survivors include grandchildren Caleigh, Garrett, Douglas, Megan, and twins Madison and Mitchell, as well as eight great grandchildren, brother Clinton Smith (Brenda) and sister Ruth Ann Braxton (Ernest). Mr. Smith was preceded in death by his father John Haskins Smith and mother Rachel Smith (nee Sykes). Bryant's family will receive visitors in St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church – 1305 East Erie Avenue, Lorain on Saturday March 2, 2024 from 10:00 a.m. until the time of his Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m.. Reverend Edward Smith, Pastor of the parish will officiate. Inurnment will follow at Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, Bryant’s family respectfully requests you to consider a contribution in his memory to the Lorain Senior Center – 3361 Garfield Blvd. – Lorain, OH 44052.

Bryant Haskins Smith

November 20, 1937 - February 17, 2024