Obituary of James Smetana SR

James Joseph Smetana, Sr. died April 6, 2009, at the Northwoods Rehabilitation Center, after a long illness. Jim was born in Temple, Texas, and grew up in the communities of Westhalia and Rosebud, Texas. He graduated from Rosebud High School in Rosebud, TX in 1945. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1946 to 1948 as an aviation electronics technician. He graduated from the University of Texas in 1952 with a BS in mechanical engineering and received his master's of science degree in industrial engineering from the University of Michigan in 1953. Jim joined GE's manufacturing training program in 1953 and held assignments in motors, aircraft engines, Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory and large steam turbine generators. After leaving the manufacturing training program, Jim's first position was with the Industry Controls business in Roanoke, VA, in 1956. Following this position, he moved to Lynn, MA, where he worked in the small aircraft engines business from 1960 to 1964. Jim moved to GE Corporate Quality Control Services in New York City, then GE's world headquarters, where he worked until 1967. Jim then joined GE's large steam turbine and generator business in Schenectady, NY, in 1967, where he held the position of manager of manufacturing engineering, until his retirement in 1986. In 1987, Jim became a member of the College of Fellows of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers. From August to November of 1993, Jim and his wife, Georgia, lived in Ipatinga, Brazil, where Jim worked as a member of the International Executive Service Corps on a project to improve shop floor operations for a local steel fabricator. He retired in 1987 with 39 years of service. He was a member of St. Helen's Church, the Edison Club, Elfun Society, and a fellow of the Society Manufacturing Engineers. Jim is survived by his wife, of 57 years, Georgia Bigon Smetana. He was the father of Robert (Margaret) Smetana, James Smetana, Jeffrey (Kimberly) Smetana, Frank Smetana, John (Amy) Smetana, Sharon (Matthew) Schweikert and Patricia (Brian) St. Amour. He was the brother of Joseph Smetana. He is also survived by 16 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his daughter-in-law, Donna Smetana. Funeral will be held Wednesday morning at 10:15 a.m. from the Daly Funeral Home, 242 McClellan Street, and at 11 a.m. from St. Helen's Church where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated. Calling hours will be Tuesday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home. Entombment in Most Holy Redeemer Cemetery, Niskayuna. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Helen's Church or Community Hospice of Schenectady.