Although Mark A. Smiles was responsible for running his family's successful car dealership east of Greensburg, he also prioritized spending quality time with his family and enjoying life.
Mr. Smile enjoyed boating in the Florida Keys in the summer, going to his family's lodge in the lake region of Ontario, and skiing in the winter.
“He was always active. He had an extraordinary personality. He was full of life and people would gravitate towards him when he walked into a room,” said son Marcus Smiles. said.
His father, Marcus Smale, the general manager of the Smale Automobile Dealership on Route 30 east of Greensburg, was planning a “soft retirement” at age 65.
“He wanted to enjoy life,” Marcus Smiles said.
Mr. Smail, 62, of Unity, passed away Saturday, February 17, 2024, at Independence Health System Frick Hospital in Mount Pleasant as a result of a skiing accident.
He was born October 29, 1961, the son of Ellen R. (Leone) Smale and the late Clarence “Bud” Smale, who passed away in 2018.
Smail grew up in the car business. Marcus Smale said he worked at his family's dealership while attending Hempfield Area High School, graduated in 1980, and earned a degree in business administration from Pittsburgh Johnstown University during his breaks. Marcus Smiles said this is his 40th year working full time at the dealership.
Mark Smale worked with his father, Bud Smale, to grow the business with multiple dealerships along Route 30 a few miles east of Greensburg.
Marcus Smiles said he was especially proud that his father opened a new Ford dealership last month.
“It meant a lot to him,” Marcus Smiles said.
Like his father, he was well-respected within the industry. In 2021, the Pennsylvania Automobile Association awarded Mark Smale the Political Advocacy Award named after Bud Smale. This honor was given in recognition of the association's longstanding support of legislative programs and fundraising efforts. Mark Smale was scheduled to become PAA president this year, according to Marcus Smale.
He loved spending time with friends and family at his residence in Muskoka, Ontario.
Marcus Smail said his father was not only a great storyteller, but also had a great memory. He said his father remembered details about the Pittsburgh Steelers from 30 years ago.
Marcus Smale, his sister, Taylor Smale, and their cousins are the fifth generation of the Smale family in the auto industry, dating back to the Smale family's beginnings in Janet in the 1930s.
Like his father, Mark Smail supports several causes, including the Magee Women's Research Institute and Foundation, the Westmoreland Food Bank, the Troops First Foundation, the Westmoreland Cultural Trust, and the Pittsburgh Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases. Did.
In addition to his children, Mark Smale is survived by his mother; his wife, Kelly (Kerr) Smail; her sister Kathy A. Johnson; brother Jeffrey D. Smail; as well as many nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles.
Friends will be received at the Clement L. Pantalone Funeral Home Inc., 409 W. Pittsburgh St., Greensburg, on Thursday from 1-4:30 and 6-8 p.m. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Friday at Our Lady of Grace Church, Hempfield. If you would like to attend mass, please come directly to the church. A private burial will be held in the Mausoleum of Mary, Mother of Mercy, St. Vincent, Latrobe. Memorials in Mark's name may be made to Paws Across Pittsburgh Animal Rescue, pawsacrosspittsburgh.com, or the Pittsburgh Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Pittsburgh. Check out to PIND and mail to PIND, c/o MHSF, 3600 Forbes Ave., Suite 8084, Pittsburgh, PA 15213. For online condolences, please visit pantalone.com.
Joe Napsha is a TribLive reporter covering the Irwin, North Huntingdon and Norwin school districts. He also writes about business issues. He grew up on Neville Island and has worked for the tribe since the early 1980s. Please contact us at jnapsha@triblive.com.
