Matt Smith

Matt Smith was a fire commissioner who handled his job by making sure all the employees at the Lehigh Acres Fire Control and Rescue District had what they needed to do their jobs.

That is how Fire Chief Robert Dilallo described Smith, who died July 14 at Hope Hospice after suffering a massive stoke earlier in the week. He had held Seat 5 on the fire board.

Dilallo explained that he had only worked with Smith as the fire chief for less than a year, but he saw Smith’s dedication. He added that Smith’s death will be a huge loss for the district and community.

“He was very dedicated and involved with the district and interested in improving the district and the morale,” Dilallo said. “You have commissioners who do their roles and you have some who show lots of interest.”

Smith was elected in 2014, defeating incumbent Linda Danis with 54 percent of the vote. The victory came at the same time that Lehigh voters approved a referendum for an assessment fee for the district.

Smith had advocated for a sixth fire station in northwest Lehigh, off of Sunshine Boulevard, and was involved in improving the district by bringing in better equipment, according to Dilallo.

He said he spoke with Smith on an almost daily basis.

As for the open seat, Dilallo explained that the fire board could appoint a new commissioner or leave Seat 5 empty until the next election, set for 2018. He said he did not know where the board stood.

As of July 23, the board had not announced any plans to fill to seat.

Not filling the vacancy would result in four seated commissioners. With the uncertainty of ongoing criminal cases against Seat 3 Commissioner Robert John Anderson, the board could be left with three.

Dilallo said he believed the board could survive on three members, like Sanibel and Captiva.

Smith had retired in 2012 after spending 32 years in the federal government in a variety of positions, most notably working as a planner for the Army, the Navy and the U.S. Department of Defense.

A service will be held Aug. 5 at 1 p.m. at St. Raphael Catholic Church, at 2514 Lee Blvd.