Father Charles F. Smarsh

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Father Charles F. Smarsh, who served at two parishes in the archdiocese, died Aug. 25 at Ridgewood Village in Silver Spring, Md. He was 83.

Father Smarsh was assigned to St. Catharine’s, Pelham, 1966-1972, and Our Saviour, the Bronx, 1964-1966. He taught physics during this time at Fordham University, the Bronx, and Iona College, New Rochelle.

Beginning in 1972, he taught physics for 34 years at the University of Maryland in College Park, Md., and was a weekend associate for 49 years at Holy Redeemer parish there.

Born on Staten Island, he studied for the priesthood at St. Joseph’s Seminary, Dunwoodie. He was ordained by Cardinal Francis Spellman at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in 1964.

He also received master’s degrees in theology and Greek and Latin languages from Fordham University; in physics from Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken, N.J.; and in education from the University of Maryland. He completed coursework for doctorates in physics and education at Maryland.

His brother, Joseph, and sister, Jane Monahan, survive him.
A Funeral Mass was offered Sept. 3 at St. Teresa of the Infant Jesus Church, Staten Island. The day before, a Mass was offered at Holy Redeemer Church. Burial was in St. Peter’s Cemetery, Staten Island.

Father Charles F. Smarsh