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Life story

" Stephen Philip Smith left this world suddenly on March 15, 2022, at age 58 from complications of cancer at Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center.



Steve was born to John and Grace, nee Murphy, Smith on June 6, 1963, at the British Military Hospital in Munster, Germany, where his father served in the Corps of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers.



Educated at St George’s College in Weybridge, then pursuing his degree reading, (studying), History at Lancaster University, Steve also held a master’s degree in Historical Research from Birkbeck College, University of London, the subject of his thesis being Winston Churchill during 1911. Later he completed the Graduate Diploma in Law at The City Law School, University in London. He eventually developed his career in the insurance field working at Lloyds of London, managing a team, and specializing in contracts. In the U.S., he worked independently as a writer, finding a niche in content areas of business, the stock market and golf.



Steve was keenly interested in his passions: politics, history, rugby, and golf. A man of few words in casual conversation, Steven was a gifted writer and powerful orator, talents which he applied to politics. As a historian, Britain’s hard-won history of the twentieth century and particularly Churchill’s leadership of the country during World War II was of particular interest. Steve deeply valued the democracy, civil liberties, and quality of life that he considered best portrayed the post-war English culture, qualities that he emulated as a kind, caring and polite gentleman.



The United Kingdom Independence Party, UKIP, was important to Steve who held several canvassing and supporting roles including that of local party Secretary. He stood, (ran), for most local and 3 general elections from 1997 until 2012, ensuring the UKIP platform had public representation.



He grew up and spent most of his adult life in Reigate, Surrey, UK, where he followed the family team: Manchester United and played cricket, golf and rugby as a Tighthead prop. Stephen was treasurer of the Reigate Rugby Club and oversaw the building of the team’s club house, encouraging a younger generation of players. Later in Virginia, Steve was an active member of a local golf group and was able to play courses from Pennsylvania to South Carolina. The course in South Carolina having its very own resident alligator wandering through the fairways.



He met his wife Jennifer in 2010 and relocated to northern Virginia in the U.S. They married in a civil ceremony in 2012, and convalidated in a Catholic ceremony in 2015. Steve and Jennifer enjoyed discussing history, politics and British/American culture. In addition to traveling in the U.S. and Great Britain, they also were able to visit Mexico, Canada, Poland, Nepal and India.



The Catholic faith remained important to Steve who became a 3rd degree member of the Knights of Columbus Council 8183 at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Lake Ridge, Virginia. (WWW.KOFC8183.ORG) As a KoC member, Steve assisted in Lenten Soup Meals, the Parish Fall Fair, selling Christmas cards, making hoagie sandwiches, collecting funds for special needs children and much more. As a parish member, he participated in the Human Concerns Ministry working in the food pantry, and as a ‘Seton Sanitizer’ ensuring that the church was sanitized after each Mass during the pandemic. He loved being a member of the That Man is You, TMIY, men’s ministry and had been trained to become a lector just prior to his passing.



Steve followed in his grandmother’s footsteps and was an excellent cook. Chili con carne, British curries, perfect eggs and rice Delia Smith style, and Shepherd’s Pie were just a few of his specialties. He became the official and much celebrated cook for all stateside holidays with his new extended American family.



Steve was a kind and caring husband, brother, son, uncle, nephew, cousin, godparent and friend. He is survived by his wife Jennifer, mother Grace, brother Andrew, sister-in-law Dawn, father-in-law Pete, brother-in-law Gregory, nephew and godson Curtis, niece Sophie, (Adam), their children Arthur and Elsie, Aunts: Patricia, (Rupert), and Margaret, Uncle Peter, (Erica), and many cousins and friends, including Melanie, Sylvia, Clare, Maria, Ross, Rebecca, Victoria, Charlotte, Lisa, Daisy, Mike and Laurie, the “Nutters” of Reigate, and many more. He is preceded in death by his father John, mother-in-law Patricia, and grandparents Lily, Francis , Sheila and John.



A funeral mass is scheduled for 11:00 am (EDT) on Monday, May 2, 2022, at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, 12807 Valleywood Dr, Lake Ridge, VA 22192.

setonlakeridge.org



In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the American Cancer Society, https://www.cancer.org or the British Association for Cancer Research,

www.cancerresearchuk.org

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