Mark W. Smith, 66, passed away at sunset on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, at his San Pedro home surrounded by loved ones. He was a husband, father, brother, friend, and local legend.
Mark was born September 1, 1957, in Buffalo, New York, to William E. and Alice Smith. At age five, his large family packed into their station wagon and moved to Southern California, settling in San Pedro.
Mark grew up in a beautiful home overlooking the Pacific Ocean and had a happy childhood playing and skateboarding in the neighborhood and collecting a variety of unusual pets. As a teenager, he began surfing the local breaks, making lifelong friendships in the water.Mark graduated from San Pedro High School in 1975.
He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Wildlife Management from Humboldt State University and a Master’s Degree in Environmental Science from USC. He worked for the Department of Fish and Game and later as an Environmental Engineer while getting his hours in at the Longshoreman Hall. After being accepted into the ILWU Local 13 Union, he transitioned to the flexible schedule of dock work.
Mark had a life-long love of music. He was a multi-instrumentalist, singer and songwriter. He loved playing music with friends and formed local bands, such as The Street Urchins, Shoulder Hoppers and Delaminators.
Mark filled the house with music, art, dad jokes, and love. He was an ocean man who loved nature and animals and raised his children with long walks and surf checks along the San Pedro coastline..
