Christian Phillip Smink

Christian Phillip Smink

November 28, 1942-August 2, 2024

Chris passed away peacefully at home on August 2nd surrounded by family after a brief battle with cancer. He is survived by his wife Marsha Hallock, son Jeff Smink, daughter in-law Lenore Burnham, stepchildren John Hallock and Tracy Reichmuth, grandchildren Oliver and Georgia Smink, brothers Mike and Jeff Smink, sisters Judy Workman, Nancy Smink and Susan Smink Bendle Yannaccone, and former wife Elaine Richane.

Chris was born and raised in Pottsville, Pennsylvania, the son of Christian and Mildred Smink. He was the second oldest of six siblings and often shared that Pottsville was a great place to grow up, fondly recalling paper routes, childhood friendships, and high school football games. He made a point to visit Pottsville regularly with his son, creating a sense of connection across generations of family that continues to this day.

Chris graduated from Pottsville High School in 1960 where he was a star three-sport athlete in football, basketball, and baseball. He attended Ursinus College in Collegeville, PA where he played on the football team, graduating in 1964 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in German. After graduating, Chris went on to earn a Master of Arts degree in Economics from Georgetown University and worked for several organizations in Washington, DC, including the National Association of Manufacturers. Chris then moved to Michigan where he worked for the Ford Motor Company, before settling in Rochester to take a job with the R.T. French Company and raise his family. Chris then went on to a long and successful career at Xerox in distribution and finance before taking an early retirement in 1997.

Chris loved music, especially jazz. He was an avid runner and walker who took daily 3-mile walks until his cancer diagnosis earlier this year. He loved to watch sports and enjoyed attending Red Wings games and following the Bills. He really liked pretzels, but not so much the squirrels digging holes in his yard. Chris lived life on his own terms to the very end, passing away peacefully in his home of 38 years, minutes before a scheduled transfer to a hospice home.

Most importantly, Chris was a good person--kind, smart, gentle, and curious. He could sometimes put up a tough, cynical, exterior, but his actions belied his inner self.  He was a valued mentor to co-workers, a little league coach for his son, and spent summers in college working with youth from disadvantaged backgrounds. He enjoyed finding humor in life's absurdities and ironies and had a real knack for bestowing nicknames. His wife will remember trips to Cape May and the Shenandoah Valley, and simply countless conversations and shared experiences over half a lifetime.  He was a consistent and loving father, always there for advice, support, and companionship, whether that was pitching batting practice, discussing current events, attending a sporting event, or in recent years, a weekly walk around one of his favorite places, the track at Minerva DeLand School in Fairport. He was also a wonderful stepfather, sharing laughs and observations over meals, preparing his special chili, and advising on finances and used cars.  He could spot a lemon of a transmission just by listening.

Chris was deeply loved by his family and friends and will be missed greatly. A memorial service will be scheduled in the coming weeks. Donations in his name to the American Cancer Society would be greatly appreciated.

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