Thomas (Tom) J. Smith, Jr.

Thomas J. Smith Jr. (Tom)
March 9, 1938 – March 21, 2026

Thomas J. Smith Jr., 88, a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and faithful servant of Christ, passed away peacefully at his home in Sewickley on March 21st, surrounded by the family he loved so well.

Tom was a man whose generosity knew no bounds and whose humor was constant and contagious. His stubborn optimism and joyful spirit lifted those around him, and his instinct was always to give more than he took (including, on occasion, unsolicited golf advice).

Born in Chicago Heights, IL, to Thomas and Anne Smith, Tom grew up immersed in sports, developing a lifelong love of golf under the influence of his father, president of Olympia Fields Golf Club. He excelled across the board—especially in basketball—and graduated from Bloom High School with the American Legion Award for exceptional character and Americanism, a distinction that would surprise no one who knew him later in life.

At Denison University, Tom discovered a passion for communications, debate, and public speaking—skills he would put to good use in a successful business career. He also distinguished himself as a collegiate athlete, earning the rare honor of captaining both the golf and basketball teams. He was a proud member of Beta Theta Pi, though specifics regarding his fraternity adventures would prove elusive.

After graduating in 1960, Tom served in the U.S. Navy, attending Officer Candidate School at Naval Station Treasure Island and rising to the rank of Lieutenant (j.g.). His service included communications duties during the Cuban Missile Crisis—serious work that he carried out with characteristic steadiness.

While stationed in California, Tom’s greatest good fortune arrived during a weekend in San Francisco, when he met his soulmate Suzonne Lindsey, a flight attendant from Ruston, Louisiana. He fell in love quickly, proposed within days, and spent the next 61 years of marriage insisting he was the lucky one—a point few disputed.

The Navy years also introduced Tom to another lifelong passion: music. What began as a few piano lessons became a joyful habit of playing by ear and by heart. Whether it was piano, guitar or harmonica, he was a natural musician, always ready to play and passing that love of music onto his sons. As recently as a few months ago, he could be found at the piano at Allegheny Country Club, singing “Try a Little Tenderness” to Suzonne, to the delight of anyone within earshot.

Tom built a distinguished career in advertising, starting in the early 60s selling advertising time and writing copy for a radio station to leadership roles at major US ad agencies. After the Navy, he went to work for Tatham-Laird & Kudner in Chicago and Manhattan where he worked on prominent Procter and Gamble brands and became the youngest VP and shareholder in the company. He was then recruited to become President/CEO of Ketchum MacLeod & Grove, moving his family to Pittsburgh and doubling the size of the agency with the help of a management team he considered second to none. He went on to serve as President of Ketchum International, expanding the firm’s global reach, and later joined Della Femina McNamee/WCRS. Despite working in the “Mad Men” era, Tom led with integrity, kindness, and a notable lack of swagger.

After a decade of making and managing private equity investments, Tom returned to advertising joining his sons at Smith Brothers Agency, where he continued working into his late 70s—offering wisdom and perspective, and occasionally his exceptional skills as a family referee.

In addition to his advertising career, Tom served on the boards of several leading civic organizations, including Starr Investment Trust, D.T. Watson Rehabilitation Hospital, The Pittsburgh Symphony, Red Cross of Allegheny County, Salvation Army of Allegheny County, Verland, Sewickley Academy, Amani and multiple others. He was an active member of the Young Presidents Organization, where he and Suzonne formed lasting friendships.

A devoted parishioner of St. Stephen’s Church for nearly 50 years, Tom’s faith grounded his life. It also led him to join the board of the largest Christian global humanitarian relief organization, World Vision, and to participate in numerous initiatives, including efforts City of God, an effort to distribute bibles throughout Pittsburgh and Amen to Action, an initiative that provided a million meals in a single day to those in need in Western PA. Mentoring was also a vitally important part of Tom’s life, and he was heavily involved in Cursillo, Marriage Encounter and prison ministries. He lived his faith quietly but consistently—in kindness, humility, and gratitude—and left his family a clear and enduring example of what that looks like in practice.

Throughout his life, Tom remained a passionate golfer who spent decades refining his swing and recounting every shot with joyful precision. Golf was both his passion and, perhaps, his way of staying connected to the father he lost too young. To the end he remained convinced that the latest tip he picked up on YouTube or in his social feeds just might be the breakthrough he’d been waiting for.

Above all, Tom was what might be called a happy warrior. He approached life the way he approached everything—with enthusiasm and heart. He loved deeply, laughed easily, and made people feel welcome—whether they were lifelong friends or recent acquaintances. His home was open, his stories plentiful, and his presence unmistakably warm. His legacy is one of love in action—and he will be deeply missed and warmly remembered.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas Sr. and Anne Smith. He is survived by his beloved wife, Suzonne; his sons, Lindsey (Linda), Miles, and Bronson (Christine); and his grandchildren, Darah, Sophie, Olivia, Nick, Lila, Whitney, Wyatt, and Levi, along with a wide circle of family and friends.

A funeral service will be held on Friday, April 10th, at 10:00 AM at St. Stephen’s Church in Sewickley, followed by a reception at Allegheny Country Club.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Tom’s memory to the American Heart Association or the Tunnel to Towers Foundation.

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