Retired Clark Police Chief Dies At 91

Clark, NJ -- Clark Police say farewell to retired Chief of Police and WWII Navy veteran Anthony T. Smar.

“The Clark Police Department would like to extend it’s deepest and most heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of retired Chief of Police Anthony Smar,” Clark Police posted on Facebook.

Smar, 91, of the Brookfield section of White Township, Belvidere, N.J., died on Jan. 2, 2016, at his home.

Born in New York City on Dec. 25, 1924, Smar was the son of the late Anthony D. Smar and Mary Elizabeth Walhalec Smar.

He lived in Clark, N.J., before moving to Brookfield 16 years ago. Smar worked for the Clark Police Department for 36 years, serving as the chief of police for the last 18 years of his tenure. While chief, he earned an associate’s degree from Rutgers University attending school at night.

He was a World War II combat veteran, serving in the U.S. Navy. Smar was a parishioner of St. Patrick R.C. Church, Belvidere.

He enjoyed golf, traveling, and playing poker with his friends.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his wife of 62 years, Ethel T. Biederstadt Smar, who died March 24, 2014.

Surviving are seven children, Sandra Cawley, Nancy Frey, Kathryn Gillespie, Alyce Stine, Heather Pafchek, Holly Baran, and Anthony D. Smar; 15 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his memory to Fallen Soldiers Foundation.

• Funeral Arrangements:

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 8, 2016, at St. Patrick R.C. Church, 327 Greenwich Street, Belvidere, N.J. Interment will follow in the Belvidere Cemetery, Belvidere.

Friends may call from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 7, 2016, at MacFadden Funeral Home, Belvidere.

Online condolences may be sent to MacFaddenFuneralHome.com.

(Photo, Clark Police Facebook: Anthony T. Smar)