LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION mourning the death of Ernest A. Smith, Jr.,
distinguished citizen and devoted member of his community, on December
1, 2013

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
citizens of the State of New York whose lifework and civic endeavor
served to enhance the quality of life in their communities and the great
State of New York; and
WHEREAS, It is with great sorrow and deep regret that this Legislative
Body records the passing of Ernest A. Smith, Jr., distinguished citizen
and devoted member of his community, on Sunday, December 1, 2013, at the
age of 91, noting the significance of his purposeful life and accom-
plishments; and
WHEREAS, Ernest A. Smith, Jr. was born in Harlem, New York, on Novem-
ber 6, 1922; the youngest child of Ernest A. Smith and Roslyn A. Simms
Smith, he grew up during the Harlem Renaissance and graduated from
DeWitt Clinton High School in New York City; and
WHEREAS, Ernest A. Smith, Jr. enlisted in the United States Marine
Corps on September 18, 1943; the Marine Corps was the last of the armed
services to integrate and his basic training took place in the substand-
ard barracks known as Montford Point located next to Camp LeJuene, North
Carolina; he and his fellow first African-American Marines became known
as Montford Point Marines; and
WHEREAS, Ernest A. Smith, Jr., despite having to endure the discrimi-
nation of southern Jim Crow laws and unequal, segregated treatment in
the Marine Corps, was true to the Marine Corps motto and faithfully
served his country in World War II; he was confirmed to have made a
landing on the island of Saipan in the Pacific Theatre, and honorably
discharged on April 11, 1946, with the rank of Corporal; and
WHEREAS, After returning home from the war, Ernest A. Smith, Jr.
created a path to further his education; he enrolled in St. Dunstan's
University in the Canadian province of Prince Edward Island and he was
the first African-American to attend and graduate from the University;
he received his bachelor's degree in 1951, and went on to earn a
master's degree in Social Work from the University of Ottawa in 1954;
and
WHEREAS, During his studies in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island,
Ernest A. Smith, Jr. met the love of his life, Wanda A. MacPhee, a nurs-
ing student who completed her studies in 1951; she immigrated to the
United States, and they were married in 1952 in New York City; and
WHEREAS, Ernest A. Smith, Jr. and his wife moved to Goshen, New York,
in 1954 and were able to purchase a home as an interracial couple; there
they raised a large family; and
WHEREAS, Ernest A. Smith, Jr. had a successful career in social work
and human service program administration, retiring from the Catholic
Charities Brooklyn Diocese; in 1976 he received honors for his Brooklyn
community-based work and recognition from United States Congresswoman
Shirley Chisholm; and
WHEREAS, Ernest A. Smith, Jr. was the first Director of Social
Services at what was then the Pius XII School in Sugar Loaf, New York,
and, during the Carter Administration, he was appointed and served on
the White House Committee on Aging; in addition, he taught as an adjunct
professor at Rockland Community College, and was instrumental in helping
to establish the foundation for what is now the Orange County Department
of Mental Health where he was a part-time family counselor; and

WHEREAS, Ernest A. Smith, Jr.'s commitment to excellence, and his
spirit of humanity, carried over into all fields of enterprise, includ-
ing charitable and civic endeavors; and
WHEREAS, He was a dedicated parishioner at St. John the Evangelist
Church in Goshen for 58 years; and
WHEREAS, Ernest A. Smith, Jr. was a lifetime member of the New York
Metro 3 Montford Point Marine Association, and, in June 2012, at the age
of 89, he and the other surviving Montford Point Marines were awarded
the Congressional Gold Medal at a Washington D.C. ceremony; his daugh-
ter, Colonel Stephanie C. Smith, served on special assignment for the
Commandant of the Marine Corps to help make the Montford Point Marine
medal a reality; and
WHEREAS, Predeceased by his wife, Wanda A. MacPhee Smith; daughter, W.
Antoinette deGoede; parents, Ernest A. Smith and Roslyn A. Simms Smith;
siblings and in-laws: Eustace and Louise Smith, Clarence and Vivian
Smith, Frank and Frances Smith, Harold Smith, Lester Smith, and Carmen
and Wilfred Brodnax; Ernest A. Smith, Jr. is survived by his children
and grandchildren: Dr. Deborah M. Smith and Dr. Allen Herman, and their
children: Andrew, Robia and Nicholas; Andrea M. Smith; Alanna M. Smith
and Peter G. Devito; Leah and Larry Pengel, and their children: Lawrence
and Eric; son-in-law, Christian deGoede and grandson, Nathan and his
wife, Crystal; Peter E. and Isabel Smith, and their children: Kassandra,
Jessica, Shannon and her wife, Mary Mooneyhan, Antonette, Amelia, Karis-
sa and Robbie; Paul M. Smith; Neila A. Smith, and her children: Jacob
and Ellen Kennedy; Sheilagh C. Smith, and her children: Carter and Cole
Banks; Col. Stephanie C. Smith, USMC (Ret.), and her children: Neil and
Naomi Bumgarner; Aimee and William Bywater, and their children: Liam and
Zechariah; nieces: Tena Molinar and Gloria Howard; and great-grandchil-
dren: Dominic, Natalia, Antonio and Holland; as well as many cousins and
friends; and
WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a sense of
compassion, Ernest A. Smith, Jr. leaves behind a legacy which will long
endure the passage of time and will remain as a comforting memory to all
he served and befriended; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
mourn the death of Ernest A. Smith, Jr., distinguished citizen and
devoted member of his community; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the family of Ernest A. Smith, Jr.