George A. Smith, chairman and founder of the real estate investment banking firm George Smith Partners Inc., died Thursday after a long battle with cancer. He was 70.

Smith, along with six partners, built the Los Angeles-based firm into one of the leading commercial mortgage brokerage companies in Southern California and the country. His willingness to mentor others earned him a national reputation in the commercial mortgage business.

Smith also garnered a reputation for philanthropy, especially his devotion to raising money to help find a cure for Ataxia Telangiectasia, a rare and ultimately fatal, genetic disorder afflicting his daughter, Rebecca.

Smith and his wife, Pam, helped fund and establish a lab to study the disorder at the UCLA School of Medicine and another at the Sackler School of Medicine at Israel’s Tel Aviv University.

The George Smith Partners’ annual luncheon was an event in the Los Angeles real estate industry and more than 1,500 regularly attended the event, which also raised money and awareness for Ataxia Telangiectasia.

Smith is survived by his wife; his children James Smith, Jill Oaks, Rebecca Smith and Matthew Smith; and grandchildren Samantha and Hannah.

Funeral services will be held Monday, Nov. 7 at 12:30 p.m. at the Skirball Cultural Center. Following the services, a private burial for family and friends will be held at Mt. Sinai Memorial Park.