Body of Steelers Fan Viewed in Recliner

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette ^ | Jul 6, 10:13 AM EDT | AP

[Brujo]

Body of Steelers Fan Viewed in Recliner

PITTSBURGH (AP) -- The body of rabid Pittsburgh Steelers fan James Henry Smith, who died Thursday, was laid out this week in what his family said was his favorite spot - a recliner with the Steelers on the television.

Smith, 55, of Pittsburgh, died of prostate cancer. Because his death wasn't unexpected, his family was able to plan ahead for the unusual viewing Tuesday night.

Mourners stood before a small stage erected in the viewing room of the Samuel E. Coston Funeral Home, on which funeral director Roland Criswell had placed furniture, much as it was arranged in Smith's home on game day.

Smith's feet were crossed; a pack of cigarettes and a six-pack of beer were at his side. A continuous loop of Steelers highlights was playing on TV nearby, as Smith was reclined with a television remote in his hand and a Steelers blanket across his legs.

The reaction of Smith's loved ones varied.

"I couldn't stop crying after looking at the Steeler blanket in his lap," his sister, MaryAnn Nails, 58, of Pittsburgh, told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette for Wednesday's editions. "He loved football and nobody did (anything) until the game went off. It was just like he was at home."

"I saw it and I couldn't even cry," said longtime friend Mary Jones of Wilkinsburg. "People will see him the way he was. This is just a celebration."

[Mr. Silverback]

;) I just like the list of snowsports. Snow is awesome. And winter is the best season of the year. When it stays above 15 below. Or even 20 below.

The day I got out of the Air Force I moved to Watertown New York to finally share a roof with the lovely bride I had married 8 months before. That day the high was under zero fahrenheit. It would remain so for the next 40 days, and we got 197 inches of snow that winter. I jknow that last stat because my wife was the post climatologist at Fort Drum.

It is really horrible to have 197 inches of snow and it's too cold to play in it.

[MadelineZapeezda]

Some people have been buried in their cars, why not recliners?

If preplanned you can do whatever the hell you want when you depart this good earth. And one doesn't need a stinkin' funeral suit hangin in the closet for decades either. Look for alot of customary things to change as baby boomers start to check out!

[Mr. Silverback]

I suppose I'll be laid out with a laptop and a desk :o)

I'd like to go in my flightsuit with a Packer cap on, like I'm going on TDY with my old jet. I'll probably just end up in a suit, though. Maybe they could bury me in my Packer jersey...

[GOP_Raider]

The cynical, Steeler hating side of me would like to see their loss in SB XXX played on a loop.

[Mr. Silverback]

I'm not sure he ever wrote an autobio, but there's a bio by David Maraniss called "When Pride Still Mattered."

[Alexander Rubin]

Neat. And yeah, Mr. Silverback, that does suck. Gotta bundle up, and wear the right gear.

[Junior]

Some definitely. When the movie Crimson Tide came out, I was certain it was about Alabama. Growing up, I was informed that Auburn stood for:

Alabama
Usually
Beats
Us
Red
Necks

[mainepatsfan]

I maintain Larry Brown owes part of his signing bonus with the Raiders to Neil O'Donnell.

[ABG(anybody but Gore)]

Every SEC fan I've ever met is a fanatic, be it 'Bama, Florida, Georgia, LSU and all points in between(except maybe for Vandy). From personal experience, having been to a few tailgatings at Tiger Stadium: once the beer and whiskey are drunk, the sun goes down and the lights come on, the NFL is nowhere near as crazy as an SEC game.

[E Rocc]

"Yew jest go and lay yore hand on a Pittsburgh Steelers fan......"

In Cleveland the next line is, "just make sure you wash them thoroughly afterwards." >:)

-Eric

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Interesting goodbye.

[NRA1995]

Unless, of course, said Steelers fan leaves Cleveland fan (are we talking the first Browns or the new Browns?) with bloody stumps, in which case battle dressing supercedes handwashing.

[laceybrookesdad]

Not to be morbid. . . . .and I can't even fathom you not being here. . . . . With that being said, as much as you love our leopard chase? ?

[GregB]

I want to be buried in my seat at Heinz Field. Wiewing will be at the practice facility on the south side where I will be on the field trying to block punts and field goals.....

[cyborg]

LOL

[Rakkasan1]

watched the "immaculent reception" over and over.

[dfwgator]

once the beer and whiskey are drunk, the sun goes down and the lights come on, the NFL is nowhere near as crazy as an SEC game.

Amen to that.

[dfwgator]

Dunno. You've evidently never met a Tide fan.

Or a Gator Fan...or a Volunteers Fan....or a Georgia fan....

[AmishDude]

What's sad is that I used to live in Pittsburgh and mastered an impression of Myron Cope. And it's completely useless outside of Allegheny County.

[Rakkasan1]

if this were a Vikings fan, the mortician would have to paint tears on his face to match what people remember him like