Luke Smyth, beloved father, grandfather and great grandfather, passed away peacefully on April 23, 2020, at the age of 93.

Luke lived the American dream. He was born in Kilcogy, County Cavan, Ireland, the youngest of four children. From the time he could walk, he worked on his family’s farm until emigrating to the United States in 1950 when he was 23. He lived in Astoria, New York, before moving to Brooklyn, New York after his marriage in 1951 to Eileen Quinn, whom he met at an Irish dance in New York City. He and Eileen lived on the upper floor of Eileen’s parents’ two-family house, where Luke resided for 55 years. They raised three children, putting them through college and their two daughters through law school. For many years, the extended family spent summers at a small bungalow in Ronkonkoma, Long Island, with Luke commuting back and forth from New York City on weekends (and perhaps relishing the solitude during the week). Eileen passed away in 2003 shortly after their 52nd wedding anniversary. In 2006, Luke moved to Tenafly, New Jersey, where he continued to reside until his death.

For over 40 years, Luke worked as a superintendent at an office/light manufacturing building in midtown Manhattan, working six days a week and sometimes even on Sundays if there was an emergency. He was a hard worker, with a strong work ethic which he instilled in his children. When not at work, he was busy at home, taking care of all the repairs and upkeep of his two-family home. He still managed to devote substantial time to church and charitable activities in his parish of St. Athanasius Church in Brooklyn. For many years, he served as a lector at masses, was an active member of the Holy Name Society and was a member and President of the parish’s St. Vincent De Paul Society chapter, receiving several rewards in recognition of his outstanding contributions.

Luke enjoyed Irish music and frequently would break out into song, getting others to sing along with him. He also was a great dancer, equally adept at Irish reels and other traditional Irish dances, as well as waltzes and even polkas. Often, he would entertain his family by reciting in both English and Gaelic poetry that he had learned as a child in Ireland, to the amazement of all. He liked playing cards (in particular, an Irish card game called 21, as well as 500 rummy and gin) and reading the daily paper and his Irish newspapers. In addition, he was an avid sports fan. His favorite sport was baseball and his team was the New York Mets (just wanting them to win 80 games in the season to at least keep it interesting). He also liked hockey (NY Rangers) and football (NY Jets). In addition, he played tennis for several years after his retirement. Perhaps given his farming roots, he had a green thumb and often would be found tending his garden and admiring the flowers as they bloomed. He had the “gift of the gab,” a great sense of humor and a wonderful, contagious smile and laugh. He was extremely generous with his family and various causes he supported.

More than anything, Luke loved spending time with his family wherever they may be. Some of his favorite spots were sitting in the backyard gazing up at the trees in Tenafly, resting on the front porch in Spring Lake, NJ watching the bikers and joggers go by or gazing out at the crashing ocean in Long Beach, NY. He was thrilled with the arrival of each of his five grandchildren and his great grandchild. Poppa (as they all called him) often would be found with one of them sitting on his lap, while he sang a silly song called “Hurley Burley”, which involved him tapping their backs and then tickling them, with them then giggling in sheer delight.

Luke is survived by his three children, Kathleen Cook, James Smyth (and his wife, Joanne), Maureen Brundage (and her husband, Terence Brundage); five grandchildren, Christine Cook (and her husband, Timm Chartier), Robert Cook, James Smyth, Katherine (Katie) Brundage and Brian Brundage; and his great granddaughter, Luella Chartier. He is also survived by his cousin and close friend, Cornelius Smith, his wife Margaret and their three daughters (and their husbands and children), as well as several nieces and nephews. In addition to his wife Eileen, he is predeceased by his sisters Mary Ellen Comaskey and Margaret Mcinerny (and their husbands) and his brother Eugene Smyth, all of whom resided in Ireland.

Luke was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend. He was very proud of his children, saying that the best measure of his success in life was his children. He is deeply loved and will be dearly missed.

Luke will be buried at Resurrection Cemetery in Staten Island, New York, alongside his wife Eileen.  In light of existing coronavirus pandemic restrictions, the burial with be private for immediate family members only.  A celebration of his life will be held at a later date.

His family respectfully requests that no flowers be sent.  Instead, donations should be made in Luke’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Association, 225 N. Michigan Avenue, Floor 17, Chicago, Illinois 60601 (https://www.alz.org/), or the New Jersey Pandemic Relief Fund, PO Box 338, Morristown, NJ 07963 (https://njprf.org/).