Charles Henry Smith

Charles Henry Smith, residing at the time in Winnipeg, Canada, died on Friday January 16, 2021 at the age of 38. He was employed by the United States Government as a US Customs and Border Protection Officer. He started his career as a CBP officer in Savannah in 2009 and moved on to work in the Ports of Philadelphia, Newark and Winnipeg Preclearance.

Charlie was born on January 22, 1982 in New Brunswick, NJ to Carl W. and Cheryl N. Smith. He grew up in Highland Park. He enlisted in the U. S. Army immediately following high school.  Charlie was a combat veteran of the US Army, and Georgia Air National Guard.  He served with the 3rd Battalion, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. During his service he was awarded numerous service medals including the Army Commendation Medal, three Army Achievement Medals, the Army Good Conduct Medal, Army Air Crew Wings, the National Defense Service Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.

Charlie was honored for his military service to the United States by the Township of North Brunswick as part of their Wartime Veteran Street Naming Project on May 21, 2018 by a Proclamation having his name added to a street sign at the intersection of Glenridge Avenue and Ashwood Place.

 Charlie was an active member of the National Treasury Employees Union. He served as a representative, and was known for his knowledge of the contract, as well as his sometimes somewhat unorthodox approaches to situations, which jokingly earned him the nickname “Kaboom” while he was starting out in his career.

Charlie was predeceased by his mother Cheryl N. Smith in 1994, his maternal grandfather Charles S. Davis in 1978, his maternal grandmother Gertrude E. Davis in 2003, his paternal grandfather Henry F. Smith in 2018, his aunt Joan L. Freese in 1980, and his beloved “Uncle Al,” Amado Lopez, Jr. in 2004.

Charlie is survived by his daughter, Paris V. Smith.  He is also survived by his father and step-mother, Carl W. and Kathryn P. Smith of East Brunswick, his brother Carl J. Smith and his wife Jamie Maguire Smith, their children Aleister and Sloane of Kendall Park, his step-brother Michael A. O’ Rourke and his wife Jennifer Goss O’Rourke, their daughter Hayley of Milford, DE, his beloved “Aunt Lou,” his mother’s sister Louise Davis-Lopez, his paternal grandmother, Jane L. Smith, and a host of other loving aunts, uncles, cousins and friends he considered family. Charlie will also be mourned by Julie Krecz, and his former wives Bridgette Macfarlan and Crisel Smith, along with their families.

 “Kaboom” was an honorable man with a big heart. He had an affinity for nice cars and as such was an active member of the Northeast Drivers Club. He loved hard, drove fast, and will be deeply missed by his many loyal and steadfast friends that stood by him through thick and thin for many years. 

A viewing will be held on Friday, March 19 from 7 to 9 pm at The Bronson & Guthlein Funeral Home, 152 North Main Street, Milltown, NJ 08850. The funeral service will be on Saturday, March 20 at 10 a.m. at the funeral home. Burial immediately following the service at Franklin Memorial Park, North Brunswick, NJ.

In lieu of flowers, the family will gratefully accept donations toward a fund established for Paris’ education. Checks may be made payable to Paris Smith and sent to 11 Inwood Drive, Milltown NJ 08850.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Charles Henry Smith, please visit our floral store.