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Vincent Astor MacDonald Smith

August 13, 1930 - January 19, 2010

Vincent Astor MacDonald Smith Obituary He was born August 13, 1930 in Shanghai, China and passed away January 19, 2010. At the age of 12 as an American citizen he was interned in a Japanese prison camp with his brother George, sisters Mary and Anne during WWII. They came to the USA in 1944 and lived with their mother in Hollywood, CA. He attended Hollywood High, was then transferred to Boy's Town, Nebraska where he excelled as a football player on Father Flannigan's team and graduated. He moved back to California and married Gail Marie Mellenbruch on August 16, 1952 and they celebrated their 57th Anniversary in 2009. They were blessed with 4 wonderful children, daughters Jeanne, Susan and Cynthia and their son Scott Vincent; 13 wonderful grandchildren and one adorable great-grandson. Vincent loved and is loved by all of his family including his beloved sister Mary; sister-in-law Joanne; brother-in-law Bill; sons-in-law Tim, Kevin, Bill; daughter-in-law Debbie and will be greatly missed. He was preceded in death by his parents George Channing Smith and Louise Jacques; sister Anne, grandson Sean Vincent Smith and granddaughter Kelly Ann Tracy who was tragically killed in an auto accident in 2008. We his family can rejoice in knowing he is now together with Kelly and Sean and their Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ in heaven. Vincent studied engineering at LA City College & UCLA. He worked at Lockheed Aircraft in Burbank, CA and Rocketdyne in Canoga Park, CA where he designed the main valves for the APPOLLO Space Craft, that was first on the moon. He worked at Aerojet General for 12 years, Westinghouse at Hanford, WA for 10 years and many other companies. He never stopped working because he was an extremely gifted design engineer and even though his health was poor he was designing a valve for the Orion Project for Aerojet in Sacramento up until Dec. 2009. He had a patent and design business at home and he loved his work. We love you so much dear Vincent, Dad, Daddy, Grandpa, "papa" and we will be together forever in heaven someday. Peace at last, no more pain and no more tears. Graveside Service 11:00AM Thursday January 21, 2010 at Greenwood Memorial Terrace. A Celebration of Life Service will be planned for a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association.

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