WHEREAS, Dr. Smiler was a lifelong Philadelphian born in West Philadelphia in 1923, and attended Temple University’s College of Podiatric Medicine; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Smiler joined the service in the midst of World War II, serving in both the European and Pacific Theaters of operation; and
WHEREAS, He returned to the States and opened his first practice in a building near Frankford Avenue and Pratt Street, the beginning of his long honeymoon with Frankford; and
WHEREAS, During this period he met and married his wife, the former Elayne Kaplan, in 1951, and would raise three children: Barrie, Hilarie and Hal; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Smiler went on to serve as Frankford Hospital’s podiatry chief for twenty years, and was also a founding member of the Pennsylvania College of Podiatric Medicine; and
WHEREAS, In addition to his astounding professional success, he was a tireless, dedicated civic activist, founding the Bridge-Pratt Business and Professional Association. This group was instrumental in the transformation of Frankford Hospital and the current renovation of the Bridge-Pratt SEPTA terminal; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Smiler was also actively involved with the Frankford Lions Club, numerous senior citizen initiatives, the author of numerous articles for professional journals, as well as his own book; and
WHEREAS, In recent years, despite his ongoing battle with cancer, Dr. Smiler remained actively involved with numerous issues involving his beloved Frankford neighborhood, embodying the spirit of the Frankford community; now therefore
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we hereby honor the legacy of Dr. Irving Smiler by also naming the 1500 block of Pratt Street, from Griscom Street to Frankford Avenue as “Dr. Irving Smiler Avenue” in honor of Irving Smiler’s legacy of public service.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Elayne Smiler, his wife of 51 years, further evidencing the sincere appreciation of this legislative body.
End