Jerome Kenneth Smart entered the world on March 4, 1968, in Paterson, New Jersey to Robert Kevin Smart and Cleopatric "Pat" Smart. A bright light from his mother's womb, Jerome lit up rooms with his radiant eyes and big smile. Jerome lived up to his last name from the time he was a child. At the age of 5, he got a watch for his birthday and learned to tell time. Not long after, he was reading the newspaper. He went on to excel academically, receiving straight A's throughout grade school, high school, and college.

The word "superhero" came into play after he graduated from John F. Kennedy High School in 1986. As a "standout" athlete at Kennedy, Jerome earned a 4-year basketball scholarship to the University of Vermont. During his first semester in college, he learned he would be becoming a father. He decided to leave Vermont and transfer to William Paterson University to help raise his son, Davon. Being Davon's father and molding him into the man that he has become quickly became Jerome's greatest joy. He later went on to graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in History from William Paterson in 1997 and a master’s in special education from New Jersey City University in 2005.

Jerome pivoted from his dream of playing basketball and began to focus on being a father, teaching, and continuing his love for basketball by becoming a coach. As Jerome and Davon were going through life together, along came Francine and her daughter, Amber. It is Jerome and Francine's love of coaching and mentoring young people that brought them together. They grew to love and raise each other's children as their own. Jerome and Francine were married for 15 of the over 20 years they were together.

Throughout the years, Jerome coached for various basketball teams. From 1992 to 1996, he was the Assistant Coach for Varsity Basketball at Paterson Catholic. He went on to become the Head Coach for Varsity Basketball from 1996 to 1999. At Teaneck High School, Jerome was the Head Coach for Freshman Girl's Basketball from 2008 to 2010. He was the Head Coach for Varsity Boys Basketball from 2010 to 2018. He returned to his alma mater in 2018 to coach alongside Head Coach Tommie "Road Dog" Patterson until he became ill. Jerome had many noteworthy achievements in coaching. He and his teams won many titles and championships throughout New Jersey.

Jerome was a special education teacher with the Paterson Board of Education from 1991 to 2007. He taught history and special education for the Teaneck Board of Education from 2008 until the time of his illness. He was planning to retire in April 2023.

Jerome transitioned from life into eternal rest on Wednesday, March 15, 2023. He departed this life with his family by his side at Holy Name Hospital in Teaneck, New Jersey.

Those left with cherished memories are his wife, Francine Smart; son, Davon Smart; mother, Cleopatric "Pat" Smart; father, Robert Kevin Smart (Rosa); bonus daughter, Amber Fisher; brother, Robert W. Smart; sister, Desiree Smart; two goddaughters, one godson; and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws and friends.

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