Plymouth Harbor Former Executive Director Jack Smith Dies at 93

Jack A. Smith

The Rev. John “Jack” A. Smith — the second administrator of UCC-related Plymouth Harbor in Sarasota, Fla. — died June 4, 2019, in Plymouth Harbor’s Smith Care Center, named for him. He was 93.

Smith was Plymouth Harbor’s administrator from 1972 until his retirement in 1989. Early in his tenure, Plymouth Harbor was struggling to keep pace with rising costs of operation and existing resident contracts contained clauses restricting increases in fees. To save the older adult community, Smith, trustees, and residents raised enough money to get Plymouth Harbor back on solid financial footing.

Prior to the Smith Care Center, Plymouth Harbor had a small infirmary. In 1988, the infirmary was moved into a new, improved space and renamed the Health Center. It was later renamed the Plymouth Harbor Health and Rehabilitation Center to more fully describe its capabilities. At its 40th anniversary celebration, the center underwent a final name change in recognition of its former executive director and became the Jack A. Smith Care Center.

In 2004, Smith came out of retirement to briefly serve as interim CEO during the search for current executive director Harry Hobson.

Smith graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University with a degree in finance and then attended the Oberlin Graduate School of Theology and Vanderbilt University, where he earned his doctorate degree. He was formerly president of the United Church of Christ in Florida, the Florida Association of Homes for the Aging, Sarasota Keys Rotary Club and the Monday Group. Smith served on the Board of Directors of the Salvation Army, the Pines of Sarasota, the Doyle Foundation and the University Club. He served in the Army Engineers during WWII. He was a member of Church of the Redeemer in Sarasota.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Margaret Harris; daughter Carolyn (Aldo Troiani); and two sons, Paul Smith (Holly) and Mark Smith.