Father Cyril Smith made ‘even the worst of days better’

Msgr. Edward Pace High School community remembers Augustinian friar, ‘grandpa–priest’ who worked at high school for 24 years.

JACQUELINE SCHUCK | FLORIDA CATHOLIC CORRESPONDENT

Posted: 07.27.09

MIAMI | To those who knew him at Msgr. Edward Pace High School, Father Cyril Smith was not just a priest, but an adorable grandpa who shared his wisdom every day.

And when it came to making people smile, neither the biggest of football players nor the tallest of basketball players stood a chance against the diminutive, gray–haired 80–year–old.

An Augustinian friar and longtime member of the staff at the Miami Gardens high school, Father Smith walked the halls wearing his collar and greeting everyone along the way. Part of his undeniable charm was that he seemed to know exactly what to do when anyone was having a bad day.

“He was the most loving, caring, genuine man and the funniest person I’ve ever met,” said Monica Muñoz, a 2007 Pace graduate. “Any day that I was down, Father Smith read my eyes in a second. He would ask me what was wrong and turn my day around by using his compassion and his humor. I will never forget him and he will always be missed.”

Father Smith died July 23 following a brief illness. He had been a priest for 54 years, an Augustinian since 1945, and a member of the staff at Pace High School since 1985. A Mass of the Resurrection was scheduled for Tuesday, July 28, 11 a.m., at the Church of the Little Flower in Hollywood.

“Father Smith was a nice and caring man. He was such a joy to see walking around campus. When I would see him, even the worst of days was made better,” said Katherine Schuck, a junior at the high school.

Students, faculty and staff all had a great respect for Father Smith, especially his weekday morning Masses.

“Padrecito was very special, and his love of the Eucharist was much known to all of us by his daily Masses at 7:20 in our little chapel. That’s what I will always remember him by,” said Elvita Reigosa, public relations and special events coordinator at the high school.

“Going to his Masses made me feel like I was ready to start my day. Every time I saw him, he made me smile and laugh. He was always there. He made Pace feel like a family atmosphere,” said Jaclyn Fortich, a 2007 graduate.

The football players especially enjoyed their Friday morning Masses on game days.

“He did the Masses for the football team every game day, so it was like he always looked over us,” said Jonathan Corey, also a member of the class of 2007.

“He taught us to know God not only through Bible stories, but personally through the power of prayer,” recalled Jennifer Suarez, a 2007 graduate. “It is no easy task counseling high school students, but he always did it with ease. I will always remember the guidance and wisdom he offered me during my high school years.”

“His spirit and his words will live on forever in the hearts of every single Msgr. Edward Pace High School student, faculty and staff member,” added Suarez.

Father Smith was born Feb. 9, 1929, in McSherrystown, Pa. In 1945, he entered the Augustinian Friars and made his profession of vows two years later. He was ordained a priest in 1955 following studies at Villanova University in Pennsylvania and The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.

After serving for 20 years at Archbishop Carroll High School in Washington, he was assigned to Biscayne College (now St. Thomas University) in Miami in 1975. In 1982, he became assistant principal at St. John Neumann High School in Golden Gate, on Florida’s west coast.

Returning to Miami in 1985, he began his long career at Pace, where he served in many capacities, including professor of religious studies, assistant principal, supervisor of academic affairs and chaplain of religious services.

In addition to the Augustinians of his community, Father Smith is survived by four sisters: Sister Carmelita, a Sister of St. Joseph; Sister Ann Louise, of the Medical Mission Sisters; Kathleen Giddings; and Mary Cecilia Murphy; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

A public viewing was held at St. Anthony Chapel on the campus of St. Thomas University in Miami Gardens July 27. Burial will take place July 30 at Calvary Cemetery, West Conshohocken, Pa. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Msgr. Edward Pace High School or the Augustinian Friars.

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