Elbridge Smith

New Iberia - A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 2:00 PM Monday, October 18, 2010 at St. Peter's Catholic Church in New Iberia for Elbridge 'Smitty' Ruffin Smith, Jr., 72, who died Thursday, October 14, 2010 at his residence. Interment will follow in St. Peter's Cemetery. Rev. Gary Schexnayder will be the Celebrant. Readers include Wiltz Toups and Phillip Smith. Smitty's grandchildren will be the Gift Bearers. Smitty, as he was known to his family and friends, was born on August 14, 1938 to Elbridge R. Smith, Sr. and Angelle Smith. He was the last of six siblings Hester Derise, Margaret Denison, Mary Ann Molbert, Dorothy Smith, and Frankie Toups. His entire family preceded him in death. He lived his entire 72 years of life in New Iberia . He attended St. Peters College and was a gifted athlete. He was nicknamed "Pogo" after the famous cartoon character of that era, Pogo the Opossum. He lettered in 3 sports all four years of high school, and as captain of the football team was unanimously voted District MVP. He led his basketball team in scoring his junior and senior years. As one sportswriter wrote, "Smitty Smith has been described by onlookers as one of the most intelligent players under center they have ever seen, he could go on to be one of the best prep quarterbacks ever under center." At 5'8" tall and only 130 pounds he was an anomaly. After graduating St. Peters College he attended SLI. Having worked periodically for his father's electrical contracting business, he resigned from college after two years and began his own electrical contracting business. He retired last April after over fifty years in the business. He married Lily Emmer, known as "Buggie" in 1959. They happily celebrated their 50th anniversary last July and were together for 54 years. They have four children that reside in New Iberia , Andrew George Smith, and wife Carla, Michael Paul Smith, and wife Mary Jo, Miriam Angelle Schwing, and husband Pierre, and Elbridge R. "Smitty" Smith, III, and wife Shawn. His legacy continues on in them and eight wonderful grandchildren that he loved dearly, Matthew Smith, Phillip Smith, Maggie Smith, Andrew Schwing, Lily Schwing, Hannah Smith, Payton Smith, and Emma Smith. Smitty was a humble and simple man that enjoyed life at his own pace. He loved the outdoors, going to his camps, fishing, playing cards, and merely sitting with friends and family for hours on end. If he hadn't seen you in person for some time, he was sure to pick up the phone and call. After battling cancer two previous times, he was relegated to breathing with supplemental oxygen. He never let that slow him down. He could be seen on any given day cutting the grass, fishing, or out and about with his oxygen tank and hoses in tow. Recently diagnosed with cancer for a third time, he stoically bore his burden at home, where his entire family, Hospice, and friends were by his side for the last five weeks caring for and loving him. A fighter until the end, he passed at home, surrounded by family and friends on October 14th. His love, his simple smile, and his warmth will be sadly missed by all that knew him. Memorial contributions may be made to Catholic High School , 1301 DeLaSalle Drive , New Iberia , LA 70560 , St. Edward's School, 175 Porter Street , New Iberia , LA 70560 , or to Hospice Compassus, 302 La Rue France, Suite 200 , Lafayette , LA 70508 . Pallbearers will be Ronald Minville, Larry Cormier, Ray Escuriex, David Escuriex, Dr. Conrad Poe, and John David Robichaux. Honorary pallbearers include Cecil Hymel, Rickey Gerard, Karl Randazzo, Josh Laque, Henry Derise, and Wesley Hebert. A gathering of family and friends will be Sunday from 4:00 PM until 9:00 PM at Pellerin Funeral Home, 502 Jefferson Terrace Blvd , in New Iberia . A rosary will be prayed at 6:00 PM Sunday. Visitation will continue Monday from 8:00 AM until 1:30 PM . Pellerin Funeral Home, 502 Jefferson Terrace Blvd. , New Iberia , LA 70560 , 337.365.3331, is in charge of arrangements.