Wayne Smith Obituary

Wayne John Smith was born in San Francisco to Albert (Al) and Mary Smith. He grew up in Westlake and graduated from Westmoor High School in 1968. After high school, he served two years in the U.S. Navy, where he continued playing football overseas. Following his service, he attended City College of San Francisco and earned a degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management.
Wayne spent a few years managing restaurants before discovering his true calling in public service. In 1975, he joined the San Francisco Police Department, where he spent the majority of his 33-year career at the Potrero Station and in the Honda Unit. He loved his time with the SFPD and cherished the camaraderie he shared with his fellow officers. He retired in 2008, proud of a life of service and the deep friendships he built along the way.
Outside of work, Wayne lived life to the fullest. He loved waterskiing and boating, especially at the family's place in Discovery Bay. He was an avid golfer, passionate runner, lifelong weightlifter, and self-appointed movie critic. A natural storyteller with quick wit, Wayne was always ready with a joke, a memory, or a helping hand.
He was deeply involved in his children's lives, coaching all their sports and activities. Coaching remained a passion long after his kids were grown. For the past 15 years, he dedicated himself to youth flag football programs in the Los Altos area, becoming a mentor to countless kids and families. Wayne is remembered as kind, generous, thoughtful, energetic, and endlessly supportive - a true coach in every sense of the word. Whether you knew him as a dad, papa, husband, brother, uncle, friend, or fellow officer, you knew him as a protector and free-spirited advisor who always showed up for others. His garden thrived just like the relationships he nurtured - with care, humor, and love.
Wayne is survived by his beloved wife, Kay, his daughter Elena (Karl) and his sons Mike (Mandy) and Danny (Darci). He was a proud and devoted grandfather to five grandchildren: Keira (17), Brody (13), Jake (12), Palmer (3) and Weston (1). He is also survived by his brother, Dickie (Wendy) and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Albert (Al) and Mary Smith, and his brother, Skip.
If you knew Wayne - a loving husband, dad, papa, coach, and friend - you knew that family meant everything to him. In lieu of flowers, please honor his memory by taking your family out to dinner. Spend time together. Enjoy your loved ones. That's what he would have wanted.
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