Obituary of Jack Smiley

Jack was born in San Jose, CA on May 28, 1933 to Doris and Clyde Smiley. He lived in Santa Clara, moved to New Idria with his parents when he was 4 and later settled in Hollister, where he lived the rest of his life. Jack attended local schools, where he met and made life-long friends. He loved sports (particularly basketball, baseball and football), and excelled in football in high school. He earned All-League honors as a junior and senior, and earned a scholarship to the College of the Pacific (now the University of the Pacific). Because his father had passed away while he was in high school, he chose to work and forgo his college playing days to help his family, which included his mother and two younger sisters. Jack was an entrepreneur his entire life, having owned a drive-in restaurant in Santa Clara and a construction company, where he was a builder in the Hollister area for over 45 years. He built many custom homes and buildings in the area, including the family home in Hollister 42 years ago. Jack was a member of the Booster’s Club for years, and past president of the San Benito County Contractor’s Association. He was generous with both his time and treasure, and was always fair in business. He supported many youth organizations throughout the years. Among his family and friends, he was known as a stickler for being on time, his morning coffee routine, and the many time-tested “truisms” that he said, including “take your time and do it right the first time”, “treat everybody the same, from the janitor to the president”, and the all-time favorite “don’t just go to school to eat your lunch!”. He was also known for doling out tasks to anybody who walked through the front door. Jack was also a long time parishioner of Sacred Heart/St. Benedict Parish. In his earlier years, he liked to collect old classic cars (1940’s era Plymouth and Chevrolet models), pheasant hunting, photography and going to the family cabin in Twain Harte. Later in life, he enjoyed fishing, traveling, entertaining family and friends, reading (he read every page of the San Jose Mercury News daily), the San Francisco Giants (he never missed a game in his retirement), the San Francisco 49ers, and being with family and friends, especially his grandchildren. Jack is survived by his wife of 49 years, Cecilia, son Jack Jr. (Cindy) of Hollister, daughter Barbara (Martin) of Hollister and son Jim (Katie) of Pleasanton, and sisters Barbara Dixon (John) of Napa and Joanne Purves (Gary) of Doris. Jack is also survived by 6 grandchildren (Brittany Mares; Kali and Mylah Smiley; and Jack, Ryan and Henry Smiley), numerous nephews and nieces, and many friends. He was predeceased by his parents, Doris and Clyde Smiley, brother James, and numerous friends. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the American Heart Association or having a Mass said in his honor. Please contact the mortuary for further details. Mass will be Friday, September 16 at 1:00 PM at Sacred Heart Church in Hollister, with a reception to follow at Paine’s Restaurant. Private cremation services will be held at a later date.