Charles 'Pete' M. Smyrk

Charles “Pete” McCahan Smyrk, Jr., of King of Prussia, passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 15, 2015, surrounded by his family. He was 88. Born on June 18, 1927 in Baltimore, Maryland to the late Charles McCahan Smyrk, Sr. and Alice (Clow) Smyrk. Pete is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Delores (Mazzatenta) Smyrk. He is also survived by four children: Susan P. (John) Hulsizer, Charles McCahan (Karen) Smyrk, III, Mary S. (Marsh) Pennington and Anne V. (David) Hodgens, III. Pete and Dee enjoyed the company of their eleven grandchildren: Shannon, Deana, Amber, Kirstin, Tawnya, Melissa, Tricia, Julie, Kelly, Kim and Charlie; and eleven great-grandchildren. Pete became active in his community shortly after he and Dee moved to King of Prussia in the 1950’s. He served a number of years on the Upper Merion Sewer Authority. He was also involved in the Boy Scouts for many years. His contributions included adult leadership in King of Prussia Troop 481 and adult leadership training. He was awarded the Silver Beaver Award. From the time of his graduation from Johns Hopkins University, Pete was employed by Dupont De Nemours & Company in the Philadelphia area, including five years in Brazil, until his retirement. For more than twenty-five years following his retirement, he served as a volunteer with the Lafayette Ambulance Squad, including paramedic and treasurer. Pete had a love for animal conservation. He and Dee spent many years at their summer home on Lake Florence in Hawley, PA and vacationing in Chincoteaque, Virginia. A veteran of World War II, Pete served his country in the Army Air Force. The family will receive relatives and friends at The Bacchi Funeral Home and Crematory, Ltd., 805 DeKalb St. (Rt. 202), Bridgeport, PA on Saturday, November 21, 2015 from 9 to 11:00 am, followed by his Prayer Service at 11:00 am. Interment will be in Philadelphia Memorial Park, Frazer, PA. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Pete’s memory to the Lafayette Ambulance Squad, 180 N. Henderson Rd., King of Prussia, PA 19406; the Boy Scouts of America, Cradle of Liberty Council, 1485 Valley Forge Rd., Wayne, PA 19087; or the World Wildlife Fund, 1250 24th Street N.W., P.O. Box 97180, Washington, DC 20090-7180. Condolences at www.bacchifh.com