John M. Smyth ’37

Described by Roger Barrett as "the most widely-beloved man I have ever known" and a third generation in the family furniture business, Johnny Smyth died Aug. 7, 2000. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Judith, sons John Jr. and Andy, daughters Judy and Malinda, and nine grandchildren.

At the Canterbury School in New Milford, Conn., Johnny was into publications and golf. At Princeton, he was on the boxing squad and was a member of Tiger Inn. His grandfather founded the family furniture business in 1867, and Johnny first intended to be a lawyer. After Northwestern U. school of law, a brief practice, and almost four years in the Navy commanding a gun crew on a liberty ship in American and European waters and then a destroyer escort in the Pacific, he won a Presidential Citation for performance in the Battle of Leyte Gulf when his little ship torpedoed a heavy Japanese cruiser in 1944.

After WWII, he became secy. of the family business, managing its finances, and rose to pres. in the 1960s. He maintained a constant and extensive involvement in civic activities.

The Class of 1937