Jeffrey J. Smith
February 5, 1951 – October 14, 2025
Jeffrey J Smith (JJ, Smitty, Unc,Jav) age 74 left this world on October 14th 2025. He was golfing one week and gone the next.
Jeff was born February 5th, 1951 in Milwaukee to George and Dolores Smith. He attended St. Gerard’s Catholic Grade School and Boy’s Technical High School. He spent his childhood messing around at the creek across the street from his house on 16th and Manitoba and playing endless hours of basketball at Holt Park playground.
Like many of his generation, Jeff had a strong work ethic. His first job was at Sidellos dime store when he was 15 and then a machine shop in high school. His high school technical training in graphic communications and additional training at MATC afforded him a long career in the printing industry.
In 1974, Jeff married Prue Spahn and they shared 51 years together although he often joked that the time spent together felt more like 10 minutes….under water. He adored Prue and their life together was normal, and wild and wonderful and hard and too much to put in a few sentences.
When the printing company that he worked for closed, Jeff found himself unemployed at 52. So he decided to go back to school and graduated with an associate degree in Landscape Horticulture from MATC. Over the next 10 years he worked in a garden center, and beautified many a friend’s yard. He loved digging in the dirt and making things grow.
During this decade, he bought his first Harley Davidson Road King. He would sing quietly while on his motorcycle as it gave him such joy. Jeff and Prue had many great adventures touring around Wisconsin with their Harley friends.
Anyone who knew Jeff knew he was a music guy. He loved almost all the music of his generation (sorry country) but he really loved old school heavy metal. He attended many concerts and was thrilled to actually meet Alice Cooper.
He was quick witted and funny as hell. He watched horrible B movies, worshipped Godzilla, and always matched his socks to his tee shirts.
He was never without a hat. He loved playing cards and was a whiz at cribbage.
He was a devoted uncle to his nephews and nieces who adored their quirky uncle. He was a memorable friend to many and a life long friend to a few (you guys know who you are). He was a regular imperfect guy and will be sorely missed by many.
He is survived by his wife Prue, brother Greg and wife Sharon, brother-in law Joe Spahn and wife Robin, nephew Jason Smith and wife Abbey, niece Stacey Smith and husband Mark Pawlyshyn, nephews Gray Spahn and Gunner Spahn and Carter, Amelia, Casey and Cooper: his great nephews and niece.
Jeff’s Celebration of Life will be held Sunday, November 16th from 1-4 pm at The Polish Center of Wisconsin. 6941 S. 68th St. Franklin, WI. 5313
All are welcome
Memorials to: The Milwaukee Rescue Mission at milmission.org
Friends of Boerner Botanical Gardens at boernerbotanicalgardens.org