David J. Smercansky 1957-2025

Born June 21, 1957, in Youngstown, David was the son of Frank and Bertha Schuster Smercansky. A lifelong resident of the area, he graduated from Poland Seminary High School in 1975 and went on to earn both his bachelor’s degree in education and a master’s degree in secondary education from Youngstown State University.

David’s life was deeply rooted in education, athletics and community. He taught high school government at Boardman High School for over 35 years before retiring in 2015. In addition to his role in the classroom, David served as the school’s athletic director. He spent 12 seasons as Boardman’s head baseball coach.

After retirement, David continued his love of baseball by coaching at Westminster College and Eastern Gateway College, and served for several years as an assistant baseball coach at Poland High School.

David’s athletic legacy is profound. As a standout pitcher at Poland and YSU, where he held a baseball scholarship from 1976-1979, some of his records still stand. He was inducted into multiple halls of fame, including the Poland Athletic Hall of Fame (baseball), Youngstown State Athletic Hall of Fame (baseball), Boardman Athletic Hall of Fame (coach and athletic director), Curbstone Coaches’ Hall of Fame (baseball), and the Old Timers’ Baseball Hall of Fame. He was also the recipient of the Bob Feller Pitching Award at the Cleveland Indians Fantasy Camp.

Beyond coaching, David was a passionate supporter of local sports and remained active in the baseball community. He played in the Class “B” and “AA” Leagues, as well as the Old Timers leagues, and served as president of the Youngstown Old Timers’ Baseball League for several years.

He had a lifelong love for baseball and sports in general — especially Youngstown State baseball and football, Ohio State football, and the Cleveland Indians and Browns.

David is survived by his mother, Bertha Smercansky of Poland; his brother, Gary F. (Lynne) Smercansky of Poland; his sister, Deborah A. (Daryl) Sybert of Jackson, Wyoming; a niece, Kenzie (Will) Gardner; three nephews, Brandon (Alexis) Smercansky, Austen (Abby) Sybert and Oliver (Melissa) Sybert; a great-niece, Annie; and a great-nephew, Wynn.

He was preceded in death by his father, Frank T. Smercansky; and his first love and high school sweetheart of 41 years, Mary Lynn Urdea Smercansky, whom he married July 4, 1981, and who passed away Nov. 17, 2022.

Family and friends may call 1 to 3:45 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025, at Cunningham-Becker Funeral Home, 270 N. Main St. in Poland. A memorial service celebrating David’s life will follow at 4 p.m. at the funeral home, with David G. Kohout officiating. Interment will take place at a later date in Poland Riverside Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that memorial contributions be made to Friends of Fido, P.O. Box 2963, Youngstown, OH 44511, in David’s memory.

To share memories and condolences with the family, please visit www.beckerobits.com.

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