John Peter Smiley, Sr., 87, passed away on December 29th, 2024. He was born on November 29th, 1937 as the son of the late Mary and Peter Smiley. He grew up with two sisters, the late Rosemary (Smiley) Chronis and the late Marlene (Smiley) Allison. The family owned and worked at Smiley’s Tavern in Ambridge and New Brighton in the 1940’s and 1950’s. After graduating from New Brighton High School in 1956, “Sonny” left on his first great adventure in the U.S. Army. Once finished, he returned home and married the late Marlene (Buck) Smiley and started a family with their first two children, the late John Jr. and Susie. Tragedy struck in the form of leukemia as JJ was taken in 1967. Two more sons, Stephen and Joseph, would come along to complete the family.
“Sonny” supported his family as an electrician at St. Joe Lead, U.S. Steel, and J&L Steel. The collapse of the mills led him to work in maintenance at the New Brighton Area School District. There, he would fix everything broken and spend many hours in his truck clearing snow. He happily retired in 2002.
He danced at the weddings of Joe and Julie Smiley, Steve and Lynda Smiley, and Susie and Dave Von Kaenel. Along the way, “Sonny” became “Pappy” to Hanna (Zach) Wesolowski, Brett Smiley, Jake (Shelby) Smiley, Bryn Smiley, Matthew Von Kaenel, Shannon Von Kaenel, and “Great-Pappy” to Cole Wesolowski.
Gifted at woodworking and all things construction, he built a two-story garage on Grove Avenue and then a huge kitchen addition on Penn Avenue. Here, Marlene and John would host lamb/pig roasts, Easter and Christmas, birthday parties, and cook gourmet egg sandwiches for the many sleepovers with their grandchildren.
He was an avid golfer, bowler, and hunter whose tales often exceeded the actual results. As classic car collectors, Marlene and John were members of the Beaver Valley Car Club and Happy Days Car Club. He loaned his old cars to his grandsons so they could go to their Proms in style!! His love of God and country was deep. He served a term as Commander of New Brighton American Legion Anderson-Adkins Post 19. He was a member of St. Cecilia Church – Our Lady of the Valley Parish, Rochester, and served as Lay Director with Christ Renews His Parish.
He was known far and wide at social clubs. He was an active member of the Beaver Falls BPOE Lodge 348, New Brighton American Legion Post 19, New Brighton F.O.E. Aerie 1342, New Brighton United Croatian Club, Freedom Serbian Club, and Naples, FL, Moose Club. Pappy was always happy to sit, chat, and have a toddy. His collection of chips from these clubs could possibly end world thirst.
Friends will be received at the William Murphy Funeral Home, 349 Adams Street, Rochester on Sunday, January 5th, 2025 from 2-7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, you can make a donation to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society or Beaver County Cancer and Heart Association. A mass of Christian burial will be held on Monday, January 6th, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Cecilia Church of Rochester. Interment will follow in St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery, New Brighton. The Beaver County Special Unit will provide full military honors at the church at 11:00 A.M.