Tribute Wall
Tuesday
15
August
Visitation
4:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Tuesday, August 15, 2023
Gallaway & Crane Funeral Home
101 South Finley Avenue
Basking Ridge, New Jersey, United States
Wednesday
16
August
Funeral Service
11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Wednesday, August 16, 2023
Liberty Corner First Presbyterian Church
45 Church Street
Basking Ridge, New Jersey, United States
Burial
Liberty Corner First Presbyterian Church Cemetery
45 Church Street
Basking Ridge, New Jersey, United States
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Chris Seitz posted a condolence
Monday, October 9, 2023
Coach Smith and his lessons on life have shaped my entire life. To "it never rains on the Ridge High track" to the mile run time trial at the start of Cross Country season, he created a dedication to running, a pursuit of excellence to the best of your ability and a credo of never giving up! To showing up in various locations on long runs in his car to spur us on, to his conversations with us on the track he was the best! Lightning you will be missed.
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Pete McArthur posted a condolence
Friday, September 15, 2023
Coach Smith's credo of "Hard work is hard to beat" served me well at Ridge and in the many years since I graduated in 1977. I will always be grateful for the life lessons he taught me and for his enabling me to know myself better so I could be the best I could be
both as an athlete and a person. Godspeed Coach.
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Stuart "Stu" Penn posted a condolence
Thursday, August 24, 2023
Lightning Larry's inspiring talk about possibly getting a scholarship thru running led to my getting 7 Varsity letters in XC & Track, setting the XC course record (11:55), outdoor 2-mile record (9:24.5) and breaking Jim Crawford's mile record at 4:18.4. I was given a half scholarship to the University of Arkansas initially ,but placed in the top five the first fall of XC to get a full scholarship. Larry started the (running) ball rolling. We had some great teams from 1969-73, with friends I still have today. "Many hands make light the work' was one of Larry's inspired phrases, along with"liquid sunshine" for a rainy workout. Thanks for being a vivid inspiration beyond our high school years, Lightning! - Stu Penn
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Anonymous purchased flowers
Monday, August 14, 2023
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Dear Glenn and Joan,We are deeply sorry for the loss of your dad. Please know you are in our thoughts and prayers.All our love,Bonnie and Dan
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Scott Sylvester lit a candle
Friday, August 11, 2023
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Mr. Smith was an icon at Ridge for many years. A class act and positive, encouraging role model who always had time for the students." Lightning" was also a friend and mentor when I returned to Ridge to coach. Condolences to his family, They don't make them like that anymore really applies. R.I.P
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John Houtz lit a candle
Friday, August 11, 2023
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My sincerest condolences to Glenn and Wayne and their families. Mr. Smith was my high school physical education teacher for four years at Ridge, and he attended several of our high school class reunions. The last was our Class of 1965's 50th reunion in 2015. First, let me say he was always "Mr. Smith" to us, since our generation knew teachers as Mr., Mrs., or Miss. Even in later years, all grown up as men, it still came naturally to greet him with the Mister. But, he loved us, all his students from all those years at Ridge! In point of fact, he was the life of the party at our 50th reunion. He presented Ridge R letters to many of our attending women grads, since their time was well before Title IX. And when the dancing started, he showed the ladies some fantastic steps! He clearly stayed in shape! From our high school years, I remember him letting me demonstrate how a curve ball broke, in gym class, not outside. I remember him shooting the starting pistol in health class to demonstrate the "startle" reflex. He was right in front of me. Boy, did I jump. And, if you consider the 1960's and what teachers were permitted to talk about back then, it was quite a show of his care for us that he took his class outside a few days before the prom and, with a serious talk, told us to be careful with "our futures." We knew what he was really talking about, no doubt. As a teacher, mentor, friend, he was a remarkable gentleman.
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Craig Fortenbacker posted a condolence
Thursday, August 10, 2023
No only a lifelong family friend, but a true Basking Ridge and Ridge High School legend. Had a tremendous impact on so many students for many years. Thank you Mr. Smith for everything, an end of an era. God Bless
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Jill Wray posted a condolence
Thursday, August 10, 2023
Glenn and family, you are all in my thoughts and prayers. I have such great memories of growing up on Spencer Rd and having you as neighbors. I remember those days fondly and your dad was a big part of those memories. Jill Wray
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The family of Laurence A Smith uploaded a photo
Thursday, August 10, 2023
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Ken Ballinger posted a condolence
Thursday, August 10, 2023
I was one of his students and graduated in 1965 from Ridge High. I was on his track team. He was a role model for me and he taught me to be persistent and give it everything I could give. I will miss his positive attitude and caring personality. Ken Ballinger