Alfred Henry Smith Jr, 81 of Severna Park passed away on March 29th, 2023, at Baltimore Washington Medical Center. Big Al or Buddy as most knew him by, was born on May 12, 1941, in Steelton PA the son of late Alfred Henry Smith Sr. and wife Ida (Bausam).
Big Al started his love of sports at an early age playing Little League baseball, then going to Steelton High School, home of the Rollers, where he played baseball, basketball and football. He loved keeping up with Steel High and making his way to Pennsylvania to watch football. His love of sports would continue throughout his whole life. After High School, he enlisted in the US Navy to become an Air Traffic Controller upon discharge in September 1964, In November of the same year he married his loving and supporting wife of 58 years, Maria.
In 1964 he began his career working for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as an Air Traffic Controller at Friendship International Airport now known as Thurgood Marshall International which he continued until his retirement in January 2002.
In 1975 he was invited to announce at Old Mill High School, and his distinguishable voice has become well known both as the Voice of Old Mill and announcing MPSSA Championships nearing the 50-year mark. He has often stated to his wife at 50 years that would conclude his announcing days. Old Mill High School honored In 2012 by naming the new Press Box after him. He has become a walking historian of Old Mill High School sports, and it was often referred to as his second home.
He has been recognized numerous times for his volunteer work. He received the State Award for Outstanding Service in support of the MPSSAA and high school athletics. He severed as President of Old Mill Booster Club for 12 years and in 2004 was given the County Executives Award by the Anne Arundel County Hall of Fame. He was a member of the American Legion Post 222 in Oakland Park FL.
His greatest love and accomplishment above all else were his wife Maria and family. He is preceded in death by his parents Alfred and Ida Smith Sr and half-sibling Dorothy J. (Smith)Troutman (George) . He is survived by his wife Maria Elizabeth (Settino) Smith and his son Alfred H Smith III (Kathleen) his daughter Elizabeth Alice Smith and partner (Richard Wells) brother-in-law Theodore Settino (Debra) and several nieces and nephews.
Receiving of friends will be from 2:00 pm - 4 pm and 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Wednesday April 12, 2023 at Barranco Funeral Home in Severna Park, Maryland. A viewing will be held as well on Friday, April 14, 2023 from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm in Wiedeman Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., 357 South Harrisburg Street, Oberlin, PA and Funeral Services will begin at 12:00 pm in the funeral home with Rev. Dr. Alan C. Wenrich, Officiating. Burial at the conclusion of services will be in Resurrection Cemetery, 601 South Oak Grove Road, Harrisburg.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be made to either Roller Football 250 Reynders Avenue Steelton PA 17113 or Old Mill Football at https://donate.oldmillathletics.com/