Bernard Joseph “Bernie” Smith, 60 passed away Sunday, October 8, 2023 at his home, surrounded by his family. Bernie was a 1980 graduate of Owensboro Catholic High School where his love of baseball flourished. His younger years were spent in the Catholic Little League, Owensboro Babe Ruth, OCHS & American Legion Rockport – hitting a home run out of possibly every ballpark in the area. His love of baseball continued: playing at Wabash Valley Junior College, playing on co-ed softball teams with his wife, playing pitch and catch for countless hours with his son, coaching Southern Little League teams, and assisting his wife, head softball coach at Brescia University.
Bernie met his devoted, loving and equally athletic wife, Traci, 40 years ago, where lore has it that he walked up and kissed her on the cheek before he ever asked her for a date. They married in 1985 and spent 38 years together doing what they enjoyed most in this life – raising, coaching, watching, and spending time with their son, Jake. Bernie and Traci also opened up their home to many of Jake’s friends who became like sons; therefore they also received Bernie’s life-lessons and “smart” remarks.
In 2013, Bernie witnessed the marriage of Jake to Melissa (Clark) Smith, but he had embraced her as his own long before. He later experienced a new joy in life, becoming a grandfather to Miles and then Amos. “G-Daddy,” as he was affectionately known, had an active and vital role in their young lives – their presence unleashed a side of him that most people had never seen – jumping up and down, dancing, belly giggling, and singing. Bernie was recently able to make the trip to Louisville to watch Miles’ very first baseball game – in a ballpark where both he and Jake played as all-stars many years ago.
Bernie was regularly the smartest person in a room; and on some awkward yet entertaining occasions, he’d let you know it. He worked for 13 years at Acme Plumbing, and 30 years at Kimberly-Clark, where he worked hard and also made some life-long friends.
Some of Bernie’s other pastimes included tinkering with tools and working on guns, building absolutely anything with meticulous precision – and letting others know when they did it wrong. He enjoyed fishing, watching movies and documentaries, learning about history, bestowing his knowledge onto others, and pestering his mother and siblings!
Left to celebrate Bernie’s life are his wife, Traci; mother, Nancy; son, Jake; daughter-in-law, Melissa; grandsons Miles and Amos; siblings, LeeAnn Smith Borchelt of Evansville, Lori Smith of Louisville, and Michael Smith of Owensboro; niece, Reece Smith; brother-in-law, Dr. Jonathan Royal of Jupiter, FL; sister-in-law, Teri (Royal) Abrams of Owensboro; nephews, Devin Royal and Chris Abrams; nieces, Jennifer Sowders, Brennan Royal, and Ashton Royal; aunts, uncles, cousins, great-nieces and nephews, friends, neighbors, former teammates, former players, co-workers, and many friends of Jake.
Welcoming him into his new life is his father, Joe Bill Smith, his mother-in-law, Lois Franklin Royal, his father-in-law L.D. Royal, and his grandparents.
There will be a celebration of Bernie’s life at St. Peter of Alcantara Catholic Church in Stanley on Thursday, October 19th. Visitation at 10:00 AM, followed by a service at 11:30AM. There will be a gathering of family and friends following the service in the parish hall for a luncheon.
Expressions of sympathy: Puzzle Pieces, Owensboro; Best Buddies Kentucky, or St. Joseph’s Peace Mission, Owensboro. Care was entrusted to Cardinal Cremation Society.