Albert J. (Bart) Smit

Born and raised in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, Bart was the youngest of ten children and graduated from the Dutch Maritime College, Den Helder, in July 1939. As a Dutch Merchant Mariner he travelled by ship all over the world, quite a fete for a young man in that time.

During World War II he served as the navigation officer on the Dutch Military Hospital ship "Orange" in the Middle East during the Battle to save the Suez Canal and in the North Africa and Pacific Theatres in support of Australian and New Zealand troops and received the Dutch "War Memorial Cross" for wounds sustained while saving the lives of other shipmates and patients. Bart also served as liaison in San Francisco, California between US Warshipping Administration and Netherlands Ministry of Shipping. It was there that he met the love of his life and wife of 59 years, Betty "Tommie" Patterson Smit, who passed away in 2003. They were married in San Francisco in 1945.

Their life together brought them to Seattle in l950 where they raised their children and enjoyed many rich, long-lasting friendships. Bart was the only member of his family to immigrate to the United States. He became an American citizen in 1951 and was chosen to speak on behalf of his new citizen class at their citizenship ceremony. Bart retired from the Boeing Company as a Finance Manager in 1983. His Boeing experience included working/living in Teheran, Iran for 5 A 1/2 years and returning to Seattle just prior to the fall of the Shah in 1979. Both he and Tommie traveled widely in many parts of the world during those and subsequent years which included visiting his family in Holland and Australia and Tommie's in Hong Kong.

Bart was very active in St. Edward's Parish, Seattle. For over twenty years served in various capacities in the St. Vincent de Paul Society at the parish level helping the less fortunate in the Rainier Valley as well as the Vincentian Particular Council. In that capacity he organized the first Catholic Family Counseling Service and became the first chairman of its board.

Bart also served on the first Board of Trustees of Holy Names Academy from which his three daughters and one granddaughter have graduated.

After retirement he served as member of the St. Edward Parish and Financial Council and the St. Paul Financial Council.

Dad will be remembered as a true gentleman who never had a harsh word for anyone. The twinkle in his eye engaged all who met him. He was role model to his family and friends due to his concern for the less fortunate and his support of his family. He will be sorely missed but not forgotten.

He is survived by his three daughters: Toni Lysen (King), Chris Morningstar, and Annamarie De Franco (Mike) and their families which include 12 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

Those who knew Bart and his family are invited to attend a Rosary and funeral Mass at St. Edwards Church (4212 Orcas St, Seattle 98118) in his honor. Rosary - Friday, January 8, 2010 - 7pm. Funeral Mass - Saturday, January 9 - 10am.

Remembrances are suggested to St. Vincent De Paul Society of Seattle (www.svdpseattle.org), The NW Kidney Center's Michael R, Kelly, MD Endowment Fund for Special Care (www.nwkidney.org), or the American Heart Association (www.americanheart.org). Note: Dad thought very highly of Dr. Kelly whose wise and compassionate treatment of Dad surely extended his life for many years allowing family and friends to share in a wonderful man's life a little bit longer.

You are invited to make online comments on this memorial (click 'Sign Guest Book').