Gilbert "Gil" Smith

Gil passed away on Saturday, November 23rd, at home surrounded by his loving family after a year long battle with colon cancer at the age of 65. Gil was born on August 12, 1948 in Louisville Kentucky. He was survived by his loving wife Joni of 40 years, they married on October 27, 1973. He was a loving husband who worked very hard providing his family with a beautiful life. Lovingly remembered by his son Jacob of Largo who always thought of his father as a hero, a mentor and a man with great character and strength. He was preceded in death by his mother Flossie Ann Smith of Louisville Kentucky and survived by his father Gilbert Lee Smith Sr. & step-mother Mary also of Louisville, Kentucky. He was the first of five children; his brother Gerald W. Smith, his wife Lou Ann and children Nathan, Lee Ann, and Jake; brother, Donald R Smith Sr., his wife Keri and children Debbie, Donald Jr., Mary Ann, Christy, Scott, and Cody; brother, Stephen T. Smith and little sister, Sharon Smith Kendrick, her husband Wally and children Mark Alan and Michelle. He was loved dearly by his brother-in-law Gary Cromwell, of Seminole, Florida and sister-in-law Teri Ann Gillick of Cornwall, NY. "Uncle Gil" was immortalized by his nieces and nephews, Doreen Cromwell Smith, her husband Edward; Joshua W. Smith, his wife Cheyenne; and Jeremy E. Smith, his fiance Katie. In 1967 Gil graduated from Fern Creek High School in Louisville, Kentucky and attended Dickinson State University in North Dakota on a wrestling/football scholarship. He served in the United States Navy. Gil worked many years as a construction superintendent with Hickman Structures and retired in 2012. Gil enjoyed spending his free time with Joni on the back of the Harley as they rode back roads and scenic trips throughout Florida and Kentucky. The memorial service will be held at A Life Tribute Funeral Care located at 716 Seminole Blvd., Largo on Saturday, November 30th at 2:00 PM.