David Smith, Killed In Franconia Crash, Remembered As Beloved Family Man

FRANCONIA, PA — The Franconia Township public works employee who was killed in a crash earlier in September was remembered in his obituary as a loving family man who was the "biggest fan" of his children in their athletic endeavors.

Smith, 53, was killed after being hit by a car while painting lines on the road near West Broad Street Elementary School on Sept. 5.

Jeffrey Moyer, 46, of Telford, was also struck and seriously injured in the accident, but he survived.

"Franconia is a tight-knit community and staff at the township is like family. When a member of our community is lost or injured, we all grieve. We are doing all that we can to assist the families of our co-workers," Franconia Board Of Supervisors Chairman Grey Godshall said.

An investigation is ongoing.

Smith's full obituary is included below, courtesy of Williams Bergey Koffel Funeral Home

David R. Smith, 53, of Telford, passed away suddenly September 5, 2017 at Grand View Hospital. He and his wife, Karen (Waldspurger) Smith, celebrated their 28th wedding anniversary on March 11th of this year.

Born April 15, 1964 in Philadelphia, he was a son of Delia (Deeny) Smith of Souderton and the late Ellwood A. Smith, Sr. He was a 1982 graduate of North Penn High School and was employed by the Franconia Township Department of Public Works since 1989.

Dave was heavily involved with racing for many years. He took part in Street Stock Racing at East Windsor Speedway from 1984-1990 where he was point champion in 1986, and was the multi-feature winner 1996-1997 with the Mini-Cups at Mahoning Valley Speedway. He served as crew chief for each of his kids at Phoenixville Quarter Midget Club from 1988-2003. He was a member of the pit crew from 2002-2015 at Grandview Speedway for his nephew, Todd, and served as crew chief at Grandview Speedway for his son, Derrick, from 2016 until the present. He was also a member of Blast with the Past Vintage Club since 2007.

Dave was an active part of each of his children’s lives. He was an avid contributor to the Souderton Area Baseball League. He was not only a coach, umpire, and volunteer for his own sons, but for the entire league. Dave also enjoyed cheering on his daughter at her gymnastics meets. He was her biggest fan. Also, he enjoyed watching his son in his senior year of football at Souderton Area High School. He treasured his vacations with his family in Chincoteague, VA for the last 18 years.

In addition to his wife and mother, he is survived by three sons, Matt, Derrick and Jason Smith; a daughter, Allison Smith; a brother, Ellwood “Skip” Smith, Jr. and his wife, Donna, of Hatfield; two sisters, Dolores “Boo” Sharp and her husband, Wayne, of Souderton, and Debbie Dougherty and her husband, Jim of Hatfield; and a brother-in-law, James Evangelisto, Sr. of Lansdale. He is also survived by nephews: Jim, Todd, Wayne “BJ”, Bryan, Jared and Justin; nieces: Marie, Denise, Tina, Tracy, Tara, Kellie and Jenna; and his mother-in-law, Dee McCarthy and her husband, Tom.

In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by a sister, Edna Evangelisto; and his father-in-law, Lawrence Waldspurger, Jr. (He and Dave were known as the Alpha Dogs.)

Relatives and friends are invited to attend his viewings from 5-8PM on Monday, September 11, at Williams-Bergey-Koffel Funeral Home, Inc., 667 Harleysville Pike, Telford (Franconia Twp.), and again on Tuesday at St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church, 1601 Derstine Rd., Hatfield, from 9-10:30AM. The funeral mass will begin at the church at 11AM on Tuesday and the burial will follow at St. John Neumann Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his name to Souderton Area Baseball League, P. O. Box 64766, Souderton, PA 18964. Online condolences may be made to the family at wwwWilliamsBergeyKoffel.com.

Image via Williams Bergey Koffel