Joe Smith Death, Obituary – The news that Joe Smith had departed away in a very unexpected manner the night before sent shock waves across the entire community. After more than seventy years of service with the band, during which time he was respected for his talent and admired by his fellow musicians, he will be dearly missed. His departure comes at a time when the band is celebrating its seventieth anniversary. His time spent performing with the band encompassed the entirety of the group’s history. During this trying time, we are keeping each and every member of his family in our thoughts and prayers as they go through this ordeal.
Joe attended Peters Township High School, where he not only earned his diploma but also took part in the school’s basketball program and was a member of the school’s varsity squad. Joe was able to play on the varsity basketball team at Peters Township High School while he was a student there, earning him a berth on the team’s roster.
After completing his senior year of high school and earning his graduation, he spent one year at Bethany College before being drafted into the United States Army to serve during the Korean War.
During the period that he served in the military, he was engaged in combat on both of the opposing sides of the conflict. Joe was awarded a discharge with honor after serving his country honorably in the Army. He then continued his study at Penn State University and obtained a degree in electrical engineering from that institution. After that, his diploma was handed to him to go home with him. While he was a student at Penn State University, where he earned his degree, he was an active member of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity as well as the Glee Club. Additionally, he served as president of both organizations at this time. In addition to that,
the University of Pittsburgh bestowed upon him the degree of Master of Business Administration upon completion of his studies there.