John Dana Smith

John Dana Smith, Dana to all who knew him, passed away suddenly, at home, at the age of 69 on the morning of September 5th, 2016, sitting by his pond under his favorite tree on Prosperity Farm in Vero Beach Florida. He is survived by Mardie, his loving wife of 42 years; his children: Hannah Walsh and her husband Brian, Simon Smith and his wife Alex; his sister Barbara Skjelfjord; and grandchildren Jed, Owen, and Abigail Walsh.

Dana attended St David’s School in New York City and The Canterbury School in New Milford Connecticut, both of which remained very important to him through all of his years. Dana served in the US Army with distinction and bravery as a combat engineer in the conflict in Vietnam, declining a battlefield commission during his tour after deciding he would return to civilian life. His civilian life included a contract as a bodyguard to the Prince of Morocco, a harrowing extended exploration of the Australian Outback, and a hunting safari across the Kenyan countryside. These adventures provided countless stories and legends that thrilled people for years, from kids around cub scout campfires, youth soccer teams he coached, and his children and their friends all throughout their lives.

He married Mardie in 1974 and they began their lives and family on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. After several years, the stars aligned for a move to full time life in East Hampton, NY. Here he began a long and successful career as a trusted and beloved financial adviser. He was a long standing member of The Devon Yacht Club, where he was able to resume his childhood love of sailboat racing. It was also on the bays and harbors of the East End where his love of hunting, shooting, and the breeding and training of Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers truly blossomed. These passions would remain deeply important to him and Mardie for decades, growing even more with their move to Vero Beach Florida in 2008. In fact it was during a morning training session when he passed away by “Parker’s Pond,” named after one of his most beloved “Tollers” who had passed away just a few years before him.

Dana possessed a brilliant mind, which made him a fearsome and respected competitor on the Vero Beach Bridge circuit. His deep sense of honor and integrity was a beacon and a rock for so many people whose lives he touched. He was a mentor, a friend, a spiritual adviser, a confidant, and a source of wisdom to all of his friends and family, and sometimes even virtual strangers. His family and friends will all miss his humor, his wit, his compassion, his love, his advice on Paleo living, and his daily anarcho-libertarian email updates from the Lew Rockwell website. This is one file the NSA can finally close.

There will be a gathering of friends and family and all who wish to pay their respects this Friday, September 9th, from 3-4 PM at the Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home located at 1655 27th Street in Vero Beach. This will be followed by a reception at Maison Martinique, 1605 Ocean Drive Vero Beach, from 4:30 to 6:30 pm. There will also be a more formal internment and Meeting For Worship in South Jersey this fall, details of which are still to be determined.

In Dana’s honor, contributions to The Canterbury School Scholarship fund would be very generous and much appreciated. Donations can be sent to The Canterbury School, 101 Aspetuck Ave New Milford, CT 06776 or online at www.cbury.org/give

And Dad don’t worry- you are still getting on a plane to Kauai with us next summer!