For Local Unsung Hero

‘His Life is His Mission’

By Pat Friedrich

 

“What good is a life without a mission?” might just be Ric Smith’s mantra.   That is, if he would talk about all the good work that he does.   But, he won’t.

 

“Ric just does the things that need to be done, because he can,” says Christopher Mariano.   “He won’t take credit for any of it.”

 

Christopher is one of the countless folks whose lives have been positively impacted by Ric.   Christopher is a Katrina survivor who lost everything.   All of his possessions vanished in the storm, and like many, Christopher suffered emotionally in the chaos that followed.   When Ric found him, he was jobless and homeless.   Ric encouraged him to move to Zachary.

 

“He saved my life,” Christopher says without hesitation.  

 

Today, Christopher lives and works in Zachary.   He is in college and will graduate next fall with a degree in Hospitality and Tourism.   His prospects are wide open.   He dreams of a future in hotel management in Hawaii.   And Christopher says with a chuckle, “I blame it all on Ric.”

 

Molly Capone is a Cantor at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church.   That is where she first met Ric.   When he came, he joined the choir.   Soon, he had his hand in a lot of projects that needed a little extra help. Today, Ric serves as Father Jeff Bayhi’s Personal Assistant.   Father Bayhi is the pastor at St. John the Baptist.  

 

“I simply would not know what to do without him,” admits Father Bayhi.   “He does everything around here.”

 

Ric knows that sometimes people need a hand-up, not a hand-out.   When he heard about a couple that was homeless, Ric organized a drive to get them furniture, clothing and all of the essentials required if they were going to make it.   He also managed to get them their first three months, rent free.  

 

“He takes it personal,” says Molly.   “He makes sure people get the help that they need.”  

 

He has worked with the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, with fundraisers for the church, with the dances, and with any one who calls the church with a problem.

 


Ric Smith never meets a stranger.   “He makes everyone his family,” says Molly.  

 

Father Bayhi tells the story of the couple who showed up one day in a pretty nice car but with no money.   Ric put them up in a motel until the people arrived from Texas to repossess the car. “Today that young man is a fry cook at Sammy’s Restaurant and the young lady works as a receptionist at Daigle Sheet Metal,” he said. “That was all Ric Smith’s doing.”

 

Ric cashed his last savings bond to help a young man who was on medication and who later turned on him according to Father Jeff.   “But that did not stop Ric from helping,” he said. “Ric worked for years with special needs kids in New Orleans and he understands the very difficult burdens some of us must carry.”

 

We lead by our actions, not by our words.   Ric Smith’s actions quietly help others in need, and inspire those around him to do more and be more.  

 

Although if he would talk Ric would probably say he was just doing what needed to be done.   And those who know him best would agree.    Ric Smith is one of Zachary’s unsung heroes, and that is just the way Ric wants it.