Jack Smith has died. I've known Jack for over 30 years. From retired prizefighter to bail bondsman, I covered it all. Jack was known as the , "Mayor of South Main Street." in downtown Wilkes-Barre. Late in life he would sit in his office directly across from The Max Rosenn U.S. District Courthouse and hold "court."
I don't know how this started but every time I would encounter Jack, he would swear up a storm. There was not a single bit of malice in it. But it was intense. And Jack did it for one reason only; it would make me roar. And they weren't your run-of-the-mill swear words, not for Jack. He marched out the big-leaguers.
The longer it took me to laugh, the worse it got.
I remember covering a proceeding at Federal Court. Jack was sitting in his office watching everything and uttered not a word. I knew something was wrong. I ran over and said, "Hello," and checked on him. He said he wasn't feeling well. He then told me to, "get out."
Jack added an extra couple of words I won't use here.
With his passing, another of the colorful figures in Wilkes-Barre is gone. He won't be forgotten.
So readers, forgive me as I say good-bye to an old friend, the only way I know how.
"Rest in Peace, Jack and $#*!@%&!"
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