Benjamin Francis Smith

Benjamin F. Smith
July 18, 1948 - August 15, 2025

Ben was a native Californian, born at Balboa Naval Hospital and baptized at St. Didacus. He grew up in a military family and lived many places as a youth. He returned to San Diego entering the Junior year of high school attending St. Augustine High School where he graduated in 1966. Ben attended the University of San Diego on a full scholarship. While in college, he became a teacher’s assistant at St. Augustine’s. Spring of 1969 he was offered a teacher’s contract at Saints for history and thus began his career as a teacher.

After 7 years, he became a teaching Vice Principal for Discipline and later Vice Principal for Academics. He left St. Augustine’s after 20 years of service to go to the public schools. Ben was a Vice Principal at Lincoln Middle School in Vista for 8 years. This was a different age group than Ben was accustomed.  He quickly learned he really liked middle schoolers. He then moved to Mount Miguel High School in Spring Valley as Vice Principal for 12 years. He happily returned in retirement to Saints to teach part-time for two years. He truly enjoyed this time. Saints and the Augustinians always felt like family.

Ben truly cared for his students. He tried to make a difference in their lives. When a group of students performed exceedingly well on something, he provided a celebration. The students all worked hard to receive this recognition. He took his leadership role seriously and tried to be the best example he could. In serious school situations he was many times asked what the moral path was that should be followed. A co-worker shared this years ago. Ben would never have told us. How proud we were!

All along during those many years, Ben furthered his education receiving a Master’s degree from SDSU, participated for a year at UCSD in the PhD program in history, studied at SDSU almost completing an MBA. He completed the education administration credential and received a lifetime credential to teach K through College. He co-authored a book and wrote several articles on teaching and on San Diego history. Also, during this time he taught off and on at night or summers at the local community colleges.

Ben was the most hard working guy. The first 8 years of our marriage, Ben worked summers as a SD City trash man dumping cans behind the truck and sometimes driving. He had many stories about those trash routes. But, he always was generous, loving, loyal, and tried to treat everyone fairly- to do the moral thing. He was present for his family—camping, assistant soccer coach, attending school activities for his kids. Ben also volunteered at our parishes. He drove the parish bus to pick up elderly to go to Mass. He was most proud and honored to be a Reader during Mass. He started doing this at age 16 and continued until just a few years ago when his health started failing.

Ben had a love for cooking. He was happiest behind the stove, feeding those he loved. He also loved travel and spent hours planning trips. He was always reading history and in later years, mysteries. In retirement, he enjoyed making a lovely yard with a small labyrinth for meditation. He had a lifelong devotion to Mother Mary. Through Mary he met his wife, Mary Sharon, at 16. His death, on August 15th on the Feast of Mary’s Assumption into heaven, was not a surprise to the family.

Ben leaves behind his wife, Sharon, of 56 years, a daughter Christine Schmidt, sons Jeremiah and Joshua—daughter-in-law Karen, grandchildren- Sabrina, Paul, Darian, Garrett, and Charlina and great grandchildren--Jeremiah, Alexander, Martha, Dean and Ben, brothers Chuck Smith and Dan Bennett.

A Funeral Mass will be held Saturday, September 13 at 10 AM at St. Augustine High School Gym. Donations may be made to St. Augustine H.S. or your charity of choice. 

Please No flowers.