Peter Graham Smith

Peter was born July 24, 1941, in New Orleans, LA, to Mary (Hughes) Smith and William T Smith. The Smith family (Bill, Mary, Peter’s older sister Mary Grace, and Peter) moved from New Orleans to California when Peter was 3. Pete spent his 6th birthday on a hike with his dad in the High Sierras. Pete’s dad was an Eagle Scout, and Pete followed in his footsteps attaining the rank at an early age. Peter married Judith Ann Seffer on August 28, 1965 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Fort Collins. They made their home in Fort Collins and then moved to Laporte as their family grew. Peter attended Ryan Preparatory College in Fresno, California, and then after a brief period in the Seminary, he earned a Bachelors in Rhetoric from the University of San Francisco followed by a Masters in English Grammar from Colorado State University. Peter worked for Colorado State University and then decided to start his own business selling and installing solar panels and control equipment for home heating. Over time this business transformed into a general handyman business. Pete and Judy were involved in the foundation of the Poudre Valley Childbirth Education Association which became the current Foothills Childbirth Education Association. They were early proponents of the Lamaze method and conducted many classes for expecting parents and helped change the rules which at that time prohibited fathers from being present in the delivery room. Pete was a lifelong outdoorsman and enjoyed camping. Pete loved the English language, precision of words, and especially puns. He passed his love of wordplay to his kids and they regularly inflict punishment on their friends and colleagues. The grandkids are learning to uphold this important tradition. When Pete was asked “How are you doing?” he would regularly reply “Fat and sassy as ever!” or “I certainly feel more like I do now than I did when I came in!” In his later years he and Judy became involved in prison ministry and helped released prisoners get reestablished in the community. Pete also developed skills working in stained glass, and created the Holy Spirit window at John XXIII. Peter is survived by his wife of 58 years, Judy, sons Christoper and Michael (Michelle), daughters Mary Boorsma (Mark) and Rebecca Wade (Will), 10 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents William and Mary and his sister Mary Grace Coming. Visitation will begin at 9:00 a.m., Recitation of the Rosary, 10:00 a.m., Mass of Christian Burial 10:30 a.m., Friday, March 8, 2024 at Saint John XXIII, Fort Collins. Interment at Grandview Cemetery will immediately follow, and then we’ll have nomnoms back at the church. Memorial donations can be made to Ram Catholic ministry at John XXIII.

Peter Graham Smith

March 4, 2024