Falls Church Patrick J. Smid Dies at Age 51

Patrick J. Smid, Jr., 51, the beloved and treasured husband of Victoria Doran, passed away of colon cancer on Sunday, May 16, 2004 at his home in Falls Church, Virginia. Born May 10, 1953 in Phoenix, Arizona to Patrick, Sr. and Rosemary, Mr. Smid graduated from Denver's Mullen High School in 1971 and from the University of Notre Dame in 1975. He lived in Colorado for 15 years prior moving to Falls Church.

A communications major at Notre Dame, Smid was a 29-year marketing and public relations executive, serving most recently as Vice President of Membership Development at the Council of Better Business Bureaus in Arlington, VA. Before, Smid served six years as President and CEO of the Denver/Boulder Better Business Bureau, where he developed innovative programs and was respected as a national expert on ethical e-commerce. As Denver BBB CEO, Mr. Smid appeared live weekly on KMGH-TV as a consumer reporter, and he convened the nation's first annual Summit on Ethical Electronic Commerce. Mr. Smid also worked for six years as Vice President of Marketing for Denver-based PACE Membership Warehouse, and was instrumental in the grand openings of many warehouses, including three in Maryland.

A true renaissance man, Mr. Smid acquired skills and knowledge in many different areas. He loved the outdoors, especially fishing and hiking. A prolific writer, he published many fiction stories, business articles and a book entitled Healthy Families-Healthy Business. He was a poet, songwriter, self-taught musician, painter, champion marksman, martial arts black belt, Reiki master, American history buff, collector of 19th century antiques, a humanitarian, and an astute businessman - all accomplished with deep spirituality and great wit. In his struggle with cancer, Patrick inspired all who knew him.

Mr. Smid is survived by his beloved wife Victoria Doran and his stepchildren Brian and Leanne; his loving family, Patrick, Sr., stepmother Katie, sisters Rosemary, Bernadette, and Mary and brothers Michael, Joseph, Frank and Jim and eleven nieces and nephews. Mr. Smid deeply cherished Victoria and her children.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the National Colorectal Cancer Research Alliance, 11132 Ventura Industry Foundation, #401, Studio City, CA 91604; Lombardi Cancer Center, Research Building, Suite E501, 3800 Reservoir Road, NW; Washington, DC 20057; or to Life with Cancer, Inova Fairfax Hospital, 3300 Gallows Road, Falls Church, VA 22042.