JACK SMITH
2002 INDUCTION TO THE RHODE ISLAND AQUATIC HALL OF FAME
Jack Smith began his involvement in swimming as a young participant in the American Red Cross Water Safety program. A passion for aquatics was the driving force for his joining the Pawtucket Boys Club swimming and diving team where he competed for Andy Dimant and Max Read.
Jack continued his participation in Water Safety by completing his Lifesaving Certificates under the instruction of Frank Moody and Harold Anderson. During the summer of 1953, the Pawtucket Times and the American Red Cross credited Jack with saving the life of a child at Lincoln Woods State beach.
As a diver, Jack excelled. During his high school years at Pawtucket East high school, he won the New England Interscholastic diving title in both 1953 and 1954. He participated in the National Boyls Club Swimming and Diving Championships held in New York in 1954. While enlisted in the United States Army, Jack remained involved in aquatics as a swimming and water safety instructor and competed in various diving events. Jack won many of the Army Invitational Diving Championship titles. In 1 956, he qualified for and competed in the All Army Swimming and Diving Championship held in Los Angeles, placing ninth in the diving event.
Jack’s love of swimming and diving created a passion for helping others. He founded the Max Read Invitational Swim Meet in 1970 in memory of his former coach and served as the meet director for thirteen years. In addition, he volunteered many hours for the Red Cross as an Instructor Trainer and as a coach at Sher-Le-Mon and the Grist Mill swim club. He also served as a diving judge for the Narragansett Swim League.
Jack served as the Aquatic Director for the Pawtucket Recreation Department for fifteen years. His interest in swimming was inherited by his family. His five children participated in lessons and became Red Cross Instructors and successfully competed as swimmers and divers. Jack currently teaches in the Attleboro School System and resides in Pawtucket.