Former State Representative L. Eugene “Snuffy” Smith has passed away at the age of 97.
First elected in 1963, Smith served eleven terms in the State House representing the 66th District, which includes a portion of Indiana County. He retired in 1986, and his son, Sam, was elected to replace him. Sam Smith eventually climbed the ladder to become Speaker of the House before he retired in 2014.
His fellow Boy Scouts gave Snuffy Smith his nickname, which they got from the comic strip character. He flew a B-17 Flying Fortress in Europe during World War Two and after the war, he helped operate the family’s tire store in Punxsutawney and he and his wife, Jean, owned a farm. His wife passed away last November, just six days shy of their 74th wedding anniversary.
Current House Speaker Mike Turzai paid tribute to Smith yesterday, saying he “worked to make life better for his constituents and the citizens of our Commonwealth”…who accomplished his mission as a son, husband, father, business owner, and legislator.
