At the end of his book, Soul of Caregiving, Ed wrote, "There is a finality in saying "The End."  But that is where we are…" He goes on to write, "Did I say this was the end? Well, it is, but every ending is a new beginning. You have crossed a threshold into the land of possibility."

Dr. Edward Smink, April 27, 1945- March 10, 2026, lived a life of possibility and, in doing so, showed others what could be possible for them. Ed was a Catholic priest, a Christian Brother, and later, a devoted husband to his longtime partner, Nixon Borah.

He was also a healthcare and social services professional, serving as a hospital chaplain at multiple locations over the course of his religious and professional life. Additionally, he was an author, publishing Soul of Caregiving in 2016 and a revised edition in 2021. Throughout all of Ed's accomplishments, he nurtured and maintained strong familial connections across four generations with his mother, Eleanora; his brother and sister, John and Ellie; his nephews and his niece; and all of their children.

Edward was proud of his religious life and professional career and had over 40 years of  experience as a nurse, a crisis and pastoral counselor, a community health worker, an executive leader, a mission facilitator, an ethics, values, and leadership ombudsperson, a counseling educator, and an author. He served on local, regional, and international committees and boards in the United States, Australia, Korea, England, Spain, and Italy. All of his endeavors were related to his complementary religious and professional callings.

Edward also loved to travel and, along with his husband Nixon, they visited places all over the world, from Europe to China, to Australia, to Central and South America, and the Middle East.  For more than 25 years, they lived together in a beautiful hillside home in Atascadero, CA, and later retired, relocating to downtown San Diego, in a wonderful high-rise building at the center of urban life and a vibrant arts community. After Nixon's passing in 2025, Edward returned to New Jersey to be with his family, who visited him every day and were with him at the very end of his dynamic, spirited, and accomplished life.

Visitation will be on Sunday, March 15, 2026 at the funeral home from 2:00PM to 3:00PM.  The funeral service will begin at 3:00PM.