Charles P. Smith, 88, of Madison, who served five terms as state treasurer, died July 12, 2014, in Madison.
Smith was born in Chicago, lived with his family in Oconto and moved to Madison in 1940. He enrolled in the United States Marines after graduating from Madison West High School in 1944 and served in the South Pacific and Okinawa, where he was wounded in action and was awarded the Purple Heart.
Smith became involved in politics during the 1960s, working with the Dane County Democratic Committee. He ran for state treasurer in 1968 before winning the race in 1970. He served as state treasurer until 1991. He was defeated for a sixth term in November 1990 by then-Republican northeastern Wisconsin state Assemblywoman Cathy (Cate) Zeuske, a Clintonville native and Shawano High School graduate.
Smith remains today as the longest serving leader of the Wisconsin Treasury in state history.
Smith was active in the Democratic Party for many years, serving as a delegate at the 1972 Democratic National Convention for George McGovern, in 1980 for Ted Kennedy and in 1984 for Gary Hart.
He served on the board of Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Madison and the Wisconsin Special Olympics.
Smith is survived by his wife of 66 years, Bernadette (Carroll) Smith, whom he married in Milwaukee; and three children, Steven Smith, Megan Smith and Haley Smith. A son, Charles P. Smith Jr., died in September 2006.
A funeral Mass will be held at noon Tuesday, July 22, at St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church, 5313 Flad Ave., Madison.
Categories
