Local 9/11 Victim to be Honored by PASD

Just 20 years after graduating from Phoenixville Area School High School, George E. Smith went to work one day and never returned. Like thousands of others at the World Trade Center the 1981 graduate was killed when terrorists flew two airplanes into the World Trade Center twin towers on September 11, 2001.

Now his school and community will honor Smith for the work he did here before becoming a victim of the worst attack on American soil in history.

In announcing the award the Phoenixville Area School District issued the following citation about George E. Smith in a press release:

Mr. Smith lost his life at the World Trade Center in New York City on September 11, 2011. Mr. Smith attended Barkley Elementary, Phoenixville Area Junior High School, and was a member of the graduating class of Phoenixville Area High School in 1981.

While at Phoenixville Area High School Mr. Smith participated in varsity basketball. After graduation Mr. Smith attended Allentown College and Ursinus College.

As an adult Mr. Smith was an active member of Cornerstone Evangelical Free Church in Phoenixville, Phoenixville Area Positive Alternatives providing scholarships and safe recreational facilities, and worked tirelessly for other charities especially the United Way.

Mr. Smith was a senior business analyst for SunGuard Systems.

The wall of fame induction ceremony is scheduled for Monday at 7 p.m. at the wall in the lobby of Phoenixville Area High School.

In addition to George Smith, David Frees will also be inducted into the Wall of Fame. Frees is a local insurance executive and the founder of the Historical Society of the Phoenixville Area. Read more about David Frees here on Phoenixville Patch.