The Fellowship have heard of the very sad passing of Pat Smart at the age of 86. Pat was so well known and loved by many across our industry, but especially his friends and colleagues at Jaguar Cars and their dealer network.
Pat worked at Jaguar for 48 years, starting in 1953 as a craft apprentice and became Fleet Sales Manager with the added responsibility of supplying the royal family, police cars, and government high security vehicles. Pat was made a member of the Royal Victorian Order in the New Year’s Honours List of 2002, an award given by the sovereign for services to herself and other members of the royal family.
He was an extremely well-respected colleague and business associate, always very professional, respectful, and putting us all to shame with his immaculate appearance. Indeed, everything Pat owned was immaculate including his much-cherished Cheltenham Caravan.
He was well known for his dry sense of humour always followed by a friendly wink. He was Jaguar through and through with a great knowledge of the marque, and Jaguar could not have wished for a better ambassador. Pat retired in 2001 and spent the rest of his life with his wife Iris at their home in Bearley before illness forced him to be looked after at a care home in the last 2 years of his life.
Pat will be missed by everyone that knew him including many members of the Fellowship.
The featured image is one of Pat in his element handing over a Jaguar to the Fleet Air Arm.