Obituary of Sean Patrick Smith

Sean Patrick Smith, age 56, of Columbia, SC, died Wednesday, March 26, 2014, after a courageous 28-year long battle with multiple sclerosis. He was born to Jean and John Smith on April 13, 1957, in Fort Wayne, IN. Sean graduated from Wallenpaupack High School in 1976 and received a BA in history from Temple University in 1980. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the US Army upon graduation from Temple University. He served his country as a paratrooper, a Ranger and finally as a helicopter pilot in Korea. Sean was a Captain when he separated from the Army because of multiple sclerosis. He graduated from Cooley School of Law in Lansing, MI, in 1990. He passed the Bar in both Michigan and South Carolina. Sean was passionate in helping other quadriplegic veterans with their legal and disability benefit needs. He served with the US Paralyzed Veterans Organization in Columbia, SC, and Washington, DC. He is survived by three children: Georgia Smith of Greensboro, NC, Savannah Smith of Montreal, Quebec and Patrick Smith of Lexington, SC. He is also survived by his parents: Jean and John Smith; two sisters: Rosemary Foster and her two daughters Allison and Lori, and Kathleen Smith, MD, and her daughter Shannon; five brothers: Michael Smith and his wife Barbara and their sons Michael and Daniel, Casey Smith and his wife Denise and his sons Corey and his wife Lorena and their two sons Brennan and Casey and David and his wife Debbie, Mark Smith and his wife Brenda and their daughters Sadie Smith, Gina Harper and her husband Brett and Rachel Smith, Kevin Smith and his wife Bernadette, and Tim Smith and his sons Chance, Liam and Seamus. The family would like to extend a special thank you to Michelle Hughes, owner of Smiles Home Care, and her staff for the loving care they provided for Sean during his long illness, as well as the staffs at Providence Hospital and the Dorn Veterans Hospital in Columbia, SC. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, April 25, at 10 AM at BVM Queen of Peace Roman Catholic Church, 314 Chestnut Ave, Hawley. Private interment will follow. Memorials may be made to Multiple Sclerosis Foundation, 6520 North Andrews Avenue Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33309-2130 or msfocus.org.