George S. Smith

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George Sylvester Smith (January 31, 1907 – December 25, 1986) was an American doctor and Democratic politician from Easton, Pennsylvania. He served as mayor of Easton from 1960 to 1968, the last mayor under the city’s weak-mayor form of government. After leaving the mayor’s office, he directed the Bi-City Health Board for Allentown and Bethlehem from 1968 to 1974. He later served on the Easton City Council from 1975 until his death in 1986, and was council president in 1978–1979.

Smith was born in Easton to Bernard and Catherine Smith. He graduated from Easton High School in 1924, Muhlenberg College in 1928, and earned his medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania. He opened a medical practice in Easton in 1933 and served as a Major in the U.S. Army Medical Corps during World War II (1941–1945). He retired from medicine in 1960 when elected mayor.

A Roman Catholic, Smith was married to Theresa Frace; she died in 1980. They had four children: George S. Smith Jr., Paul H. Smith, Stanley B. Smith, and Marie Williams. Known for his astute and honest leadership, he was highly regarded by his colleagues. In 1988 the Pennsylvania General Assembly renamed the Third Street Bridge the Dr. George S. Smith Memorial Bridge in his honor.

Smith died in Allentown, Pennsylvania, in 1986 at age 79 after a period in the hospital.