Former Parish Priest of Rosebery, Scottsdale, Queenstown, Wynyard, Latrobe, Circular Head, and assistant priest at various parishes across Tasmania. 

Smiley McCormack was laid to rest at Carr Villa, Launceston, after a Mass of Christian Burial.  

Born to Patrick and Gwenyth on 25 February 1943, Smiley was a local boy from Railton. He was educated by the Sisters of Mercy at St Patrick’s School, Latrobe and Christian Brothers at St Virgil’s College, Hobart. Soon after completing his high school studies, Smiley headed to Melbourne to commence his studies for the priesthood. He was ordained to the priesthood by Archbishop at Guilford Young on 30 July 1971at the then St Brendan’s College Hall in Devonport. 

He loved his footy team, the Sydney Swans, and would be seen on game days with his Swans scarf and socks. He liked the horses and the dogs. 

As parish priest of Circular Head and Wynyard, Smiley was known to many students, their parents, and staff of this College. 

I was privileged to have worked closely with Smiley at Latrobe from 2001 to 2003. He would go to every classroom, stir the kids up and head out the door. He was fastidious about attending school board meetings and would regularly nod off as the meeting progressed through the agenda. He had an amazing knack of keeping his homilies to 5 minutes – but always with a punchline to move his listeners with mirth or compassion. He was a grand character, and a well-loved priest and human being. 

Smiley’s Mass of Christian Burial was presided over by Archbishop Julian Porteous and assisted by Archbishop Adrian Doyle, priests of the Archdiocese,and two of his seminary classmates. 

In my RE class today, several students shared memories of Fr Smiley, some having been baptised and had their First Communion with him. His influence, his life of faith and commitment will continue. Vale Fr Smiley. 

Relay for Life 22-23 March 2025   

An energetic and entertaining cohort of 18 Marist students (Team Marist) spent an exhausting 20 – but most worthwhile – hours supporting Cancer Council Tasmania’s Penguin Relay for Life. The weather was kind, the atmosphere welcoming! The erection of the MRC tent provided an opportunity to see the high order organisational and mechanical skills of several students put into action and which ensured a safe and wind-free zone during the cool evening. The level of commitment to the relay itself was evident in the extraordinary number of laps undertaken and the blisters that appeared. Many thanks to those students and to the gracious staff who gave of their time, particularly Mrs Susan Bracken.   

Also congratulations to the Purple Couch 2.0 Team, which comprised a number of Year 12s, their former classmates and friends who did themselves proud.  

  

Mr Peter Douglas 

Director of Faith and Mission