Blackboard Bistro. On the morning ….
Blackboard Bistro. On the morning of his first day in California, the fog was so thick that when he and his brother ventured out to find the ocean, they ended up walking a mile inland, only realizing their mistake when the sky cleared.
The Smith family later moved from Seal Beach to Compton, where he graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1950. He worked as a lifeguard for Los Angeles County and for Compton High School, a job he returned to in his retirement when he lifeguarded at the LW Pool in 2000.
After attending Compton Junior College, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in Korea from 1953-1955. His duty assignment was Military Police, and he received training as a firefighter. That inspired him to join the Los Angeles City Fire Department, working up to the rank of captain during his 27 years of service.
He earned a bachelor’s degree in business from California State University, Long Beach, where he also rowed on the crew team and worked in advertising for the 49er newspaper.
He and his wife, Sharon, married in the Little Church of the West Wedding Chapel in Las Vegas in 1960. They moved to Lake Tahoe where Bruce was the food and beverage manager at Harrah’s Casino, then they returned to California in 1962. Except for that two-year hiatus, Southern California was Smith’s lifelong home. He and his wife traveled extensively to destinations as far-flung as China and Greece. But his favorite pastime away from home was having coffee and beignets at Cafe du Monde in New Orleans. He and his family lived in Cypress, Alamitos Heights, University Park Estates and Rossmoor before he returned to Seal Beach in 2004, where he proudly designed a newly constructed corner unit in Mutual 7. To this day, many stop by to admire his work. He lived there until his passing.
In his retirement, Smith stayed busy. He earned a contractor’s license, built two homes in Big Bear, got a real estate license and became president emeritus for the LA Business License Commission. And that was in addition to his service on the Golden Rain Foundation Board of Directors.
He was a problem solver and enjoyed finding ways to improve and streamline business operations and working conditions. He was quick to be a first-responder for others, was generous with family and friends and always had time to speak to neighbors and passersby.
He was a voracious reader and letter writer and enjoyed gardening and having a plot at the Mini Farm. Bruce enjoyed pottery classes, made stained glass art and loved camping and RV-ing, and being with friends. He was part of a weekly breakfast club of men who met every Friday, was honored by the LW Korean American Club for his military service and was an active member of the National Republican Committee.
He was preceded in death by Randy Smith, his firstborn son from his first marriage, who died from complications from COVID in November 2020. He is survived by his wife Sharon of 62 years, son Justin Smith and daughter Kelley Smith; four grandchildren: Heidi, Dina, Joe and Zoee; and three great grandchildren: Jeremiah, Charlotte and Hannah.
A Fireman’s Flag Ceremony will take place in his honor on Dec. 17 at 2 p.m. at Fire Station 112 in San Pedro.
On Dec. 23, an interment ceremony with full military honors will be held at 1 p.m. at the Riverside National Cemetery, 22495 Van Buren Blvd., Riverside, 92518. All are welcome.
The family has requested no flowers or donations.
Bruce Smith lifeguarding at Hermosa Beach, 1952.
