Colonel Ernest A Smart, 86, passed away Thursday May, 16, 2019 at home in Oviedo, Florida.

He was born in Saco, Maine October 25, 1932 to Robert and Diantha (Wormwood) Smart. Ernie attended Thorton Academy and University of Maine where he excelled in both academics and on the football field as well as ROTC.

Ernie is a veteran of the Vietnam War where he earned many medals, including Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, 22 Air Medals, Army Commendation Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, and many badges. He proudly served in the US Army from 1955 to 1981. Following his career in the Army, Ernie later joined the University of Central Florida's Institute for Simulation and Training (IST) as the Director of Governmental Relations. He worked with the leaders of UCF and the Board of Trustees to make IST an established research institute where his career spanned almost 30 years.

Ernie was an avid tennis player and a woodworker who created beautiful pieces of art and furniture. He loved his Maine Black Bears, UCF Knights and Florida State Seminoles. He had a love for life, animals, good jokes and bad jokes.

Ernie is survived by his loving wife Doris Azizian of 59 years, his daughter Cheryl Smart (Phil Fairbrother) of Seneca, SC, daughter Pamela Smart of Atlanta, GA, granddaughter Rachael Cohen (Joshua) of Jacksonville, FL , grandson Trevor Kierecki of Greenville, SC, great-grandson Rhett Cohen, and many nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his precious cats Bob and Rusty.

He is preceded in death by his father Robert E. Smart, II, mother Diantha Wormwood, adoptive mother Ruth Blanchett who raised him, brothers Robert Smart, III, Henry Smart (Carrol), and nephew Robert Smart.

Ernie will be interned with full military honors at Cape Canaveral National Cemetery, on Friday, May 31, 2019 at 10:30am. His celebration of life will be held at 5:30 on Thursday, May 30, 2019 at UCF -Institute for Simulation & Training, Partnership II Building.

In honor of Ernie, memorial contributions may be made to Easterseals Florida at https://www.easterseals.com/florida or the Alzheimer's Association-Central Florida Chapter at https://www.alz.org/cnfl .