posted on July 6, 2005 02:57:10 PM new
Steelers' Fan Laid to Rest With TV, Beer
Wednesday, July 06, 2005
PITTSBURGH — James Henry Smith was a zealous Pittsburgh Steelers fan in life, and even death could not keep him from his favorite spot: in a recliner, in front of a TV showing his beloved team in action.
Smith, 55, of Pittsburgh, died of prostate cancer Thursday. Because his death wasn't unexpected, his family was able to plan for an unusual viewing Tuesday night.
The Samuel E. Coston Funeral Home erected a small stage in a viewing room, and arranged furniture on it much as it was in Smith's home on game day Sundays.
Smith's body was on the recliner, his feet crossed and a remote in his hand. He wore black and gold silk pajamas, slippers and a robe. A pack of cigarettes and a beer were at his side, while a high-definition TV played a continuous loop of Steelers highlights.
"I couldn't stop crying after looking at the Steeler blanket in his lap," said his sister, MaryAnn Nails, 58. "He loved football and nobody did [anything] until the game went off. It was just like he was at home."
Longtime friend Mary Jones called the viewing "a celebration."
"I saw it and I couldn't even cry," she said. "People will see him the way he was."
Smith's burial plans were more traditional — he'll be laid to rest in a casket.
A word to the wise ain't necessary, it's the stupid ones that need the advice."
- Bill Cosby
posted on July 6, 2005 07:39:44 PM new
Cheryl, you and I can agree 99.99% of the time but your from Cleveland and I am from Pittsburgh. LOL GO STEELERS!!!
I do understand your point made. Especially right now.
posted on July 6, 2005 07:43:21 PM new
Personally - I think spending $15,000 on a dead body is tacky but if you are going to do, do it with a little humor.
~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~
No, I'm saying -- I'm merely -- I'm saying what I'm saying. I don't know why I'm always having people say, are you trying to say -- you know what you can do if you want to know what I'm saying is listen to what I'm saying. What I'm saying is what I said ...
posted on July 6, 2005 09:34:07 PM new
Tacky? Nah. Tacky would have been with a lit cigarette befteen his lips, a open beer in one hand and a remote in the other.
A word to the wise ain't necessary, it's the stupid ones that need the advice."
- Bill Cosby
posted on July 7, 2005 02:13:00 AM new
Another vote here for tacky. If I walked into a funeral home and saw something like that - I'd walk right back out for fear that I would tell the family how stupid they were.
It reminds me of the man who got buried in his beloved old cadillac - stupid and tacky.
posted on July 7, 2005 05:08:03 AM new
LOL, bigpeepa. I hate the Steelers. Of course, when Modell took the Browns away I was a great fan of the Steelers. All of us in Cleveland appreciated the support we got from that team and the fans. So, I guess hate is too strong a word. Let's say, dislike.
It figures the men think this is a great thing. Guess we women think people should be remembered with a bit more dignity.
"Smith's burial plans were more traditional — he'll be laid to rest in a casket."
The elaborate "viewing" reminds me of the mummification process in which various parts of the mummy were "opened" so that the senses enjoyed in life could be continued in the afterlife.
posted on July 7, 2005 08:46:47 AM new
Long time fan of the Steelers, (sorry bigpeepa we have to share something) but a die hard Packers Fan
Remember years ago they had funerals like that, maybe we are regressing. Nothing wrong with celebrating the life of someone instead of the death.
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