Regis A. Smith 1954-2022

Regis was born Aug. 4, 1954, in Montgomery, Ala., a son of the late Fred W. Smith Sr., and Sarah E. McNelly Smith, and came to the Youngstown area as a child.

Regis grew up on the North Side of Youngstown and attended St. Edward School. He was a 1972 graduate of The Rayen School, where he was a member of the basketball team and the cross country team. Regis subsequently attended Youngstown State University, where he was a member of Theta Chi Fraternity.

He worked as a truck driver with CCX, retiring after 20 years. Mr. Smith also worked as an umpire for girl’s fast pitch softball and a referee for both volleyball and girl’s basketball.

Mr. Smith was a member of St. Angela Merici Parish, where he was an altar server.

He had a great sense of humor and greatly enjoyed telling jokes and bringing a smile to the faces of those around him. Family and friends would affectionately call him “Jimmy,” as it was a long-running inside joke.

Regis was a proud member of the Youngstown YMCA, which he attended daily and played in several handball tournaments throughout his time there. Regis was also a member of the Youngstown Browns Backers, St. George Lodge Croatian Center and the Fraternal Order of Eagles 3298.

He was a dedicated family man and fan of many Ohio sports teams. He enjoyed the family trips to Geneva-on-the-Lake and Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Regis was an avid fan of the Cleveland Indians, Browns and Cavaliers, and The Ohio State Buckeyes. He attended many games with his family and shared a special bond with his wife and daughters through sports. Regis enjoyed attending Cavs games with his daughter, Natalie, Browns games and Wrestling Under the Stars with his daughter, Anita, and Indians games with his wife, Susan.

Regis also enjoyed playing golf and scored two holes-in-one throughout his career, once at Lakeside Golf Course and another time at Beaver Meadows.

Regis leaves to cherish his memory, his wife of 32 years, Susan Smith, whom he married Sept. 23, 1989; two daughters, Anita Smith and Natalie Smith, both of Youngstown; two nephews, Derek (Hillary) Smith of Columbiana and Dylan (Cinthia) Smith of Front Royal, Va.; a niece, Kiara Sanchez of Front Royal; two great-nephews, Ethan and Raphael Smith; two brothers-in-law, Peter (Ann) Smith of Lowellville and Michael (Amy) Smith of Youngstown; and many extended family members and friends.

Regis will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved him.

A sister, Cheryl Smith; and a brother, Fred W. Smith, Jr., preceded Regis in death.

Family and friends may gather to pay respects from 5 to 7 p.m. today, Friday, May 13, 2022, at Kinnick Funeral Home, 477 N. Meridian Road, Youngstown.

Family and friends may gather again from 10 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 14, 2022, at St. Angela Merici Parish, 397 S. Jackson St., where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m.

Interment will follow in Calvary Cemetery in Youngstown.

Visit kinnickfuneralhome.com to view and share this obituary and to send condolences to Regis’ family.

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