By Jeff Moeller
Correspondent

Father Laurence H. F. Smith often carried out his faith through his humor and he "taught us to laugh and appreciate God in many ways," Father Dennis G. Weezorak said in his homily during the funeral Mass for his fellow priest Aug. 19.

The pastor of St. Bernadette Parish, Parlin, was remembered as a man who brought smiles to the many faces, a man of duty, and a man who followed his heart to care deeply about others and his Church. He died Aug. 15 at age 60 in Thomas Jefferson Hospital, Philadelphia, after battling a long illness. He had celebrated the 35th anniversary of his ordination in June.

Family, friends and parishioners, both young and old, comprised a congregation of several hundred who filled St. Bernandette Church in memoriam to the pastor, who served there for three years.

Charles Costello, a close friend, was taken back by the number of people who attended his viewing the previous evening.

"I was very much surprised at the number of people there, both young and old," he said. "It was very commendable. I’ll remember him as a man of God, a man with a wonderful sense of humor and a man who cared about the person in front of him."

Before the Mass began, the congregation was allowed to pay their final respects with the casket opened. Members of the Knights of Columbus stood guard over his body. Father Smith was a friar of the fourth degree assembly in the Knights of Columbus.

In addition, more than 50 diocesan priests were in attendance. Bishop Paul G. Bootkoski was the main celebrant of the Mass.

Bishop Bootkoski referred to Father Smith as a "man of God with a heart who was deeply loved and he loved his people in return."

Upon his ordination, Father Smith served a number of parishes throughout the diocese and also taught in St. Joseph High School, Metuchen. While there, Costello recalled how he didn’t overemphasize vocations, but instead how he served as a "true friend" to several young men and "made a difference" in several lives.

Costello recalled how Father Smith, in his constant quest to help others, attempted to learn the Hungarian language and customs to provide better communications with his parishioners while serving in Our Lady of Hungary Parish, Perth Amboy.

As a tribute to the retired lieutenant colonel in the Army, chaplain and major in the N.J. National Guard and state chaplain for the Catholic War Veterans, a folded flag and a small iron soldier statue was placed at the foot of his casket. Father Smith often spent time on weekends with the Guardsmen, performing Baptisms and weddings for them, as well as offering advice.

Father Smith was called up to active duty following the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks. He counseled those who were sifting through the debris from the World Trade Center. For roughly a month, he reportedly spent approximately 80 hours weekly at the Fresh Kills landfill.

Describing him as a person who could relate a message a number of ways, Father Weezorak, pastor of St. Mary Parish, South Amboy, said Father Smith "brought the gifts of God into all our lives.

"He was a messenger of grace and good news for every one of us. He taught us to be gracious, good-natured and faithful."

"We will always remember all of the joyous things he (Father Smith) was associated with, and how he made us laugh," Father Weezorak continued. "Father Smith led with his heart. He is at peace now, but I know he is calling each of us to follow the message in our hearts."

Father Weezorak also stated that each person is part of God’s overall plan, recounting a story about how he was fascinated as a youth watching his grandmother do embroidery.

"I was always fascinated watching her work from start to finish," he recalled. "I couldn’t figure out why she used the dark threads and how the finished product came out as beautiful pictures or sunsets. Once she finished, I figured it out.

If we go about our business here as God’s Church on earth, we can go about our own business in heaven. Today, Father Larry sees the plan of God."

As a final salute to their fallen colleague, members of the VFW Post 669 honor guard, Sayreville, fired a 21-gun salute and taps was played in his honor. The priests sang the traditional "Salve Regina" in Latin as a final farewell to their brother before he was taken to his final resting place in Queens, N.Y.