NORWICH – Robert A. “Bob” Smith, 89, lifelong Norwich resident, passed away late Wednesday night, Aug. 11, 2010, in the Chenango Memorial Hospital.
Born in April of 1921, Bob was the son of Willard Smith and Clare Phetteplace Smith Cleveland. He graduated from Norwich High School in 1938 and served his country during World War II in the United States Navy. Throughout his working career, Bob held several, varied jobs, including owning and operating Norwich Candy and Tobacco, working for Sheffield’s, Earl Sincerbox Insurance, Patch Brothers Lumber in Dryden, Craine Silo in Norwich, Kermit Overgard Plumbing, teaching accounting classes, and lastly, as an accountant for Ralph Larsen’s Laral Management. During his younger days, Bob was a member of a local drum and bugle corps, and had belonged to local bands and orchestras that played at dances throughout Chenango County.
On Dec. 22, 1979, Bob married Eunice Townsend, who survives. He is also survived by his children and their spouses: Sandra and John Goodney of Oswego, Carol and Charles Whispell of Phoenix, Ariz., Robert G. Smith and significant other Carol Lee of Binghamton; his step-children and their spouses: Darlene and Peter Decker of Watertown and Timothy John Haynes of Guilford; his grandchildren and their spouses: Debbie and James Roberts of Glendale, Ariz., Christy and Larry Abrams of Milford, Mich., Jennifer and Mike Ford of Norwich, Steven Smith of Atlanta, Ga., Bryan and Alicia Smith of Binghamton; and his sister, Sally Hensley of Norwich. Survivors include Bob’s great grandchildren: Brittany, Allyson, Taylor, Logan, Nathaniel, and Norah; great great grandson Hunter, eight step grandchildren and three step great grandchildren, two nieces and a nephew. Bob was predeceased by his wife, Dorothy, and by his step grandson, Robert Lewis Haynes.
Funeral services for Bob will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday from the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home. The Rev. Jeff Hale, pastor of the Broad Street United Methodist Church, will officiate. Interment with full military rites will follow in Mt. Hope Cemetery. Friends are invited to call at the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home on Saturday from 10 a.m. until the service at 11.
Please consider memorial contributions to either the Alzheimer’s Association, Suite 2, 140 County Highway 33W, Cooperstown, NY 13326, or Hospice and Palliative Care of Chenango County, 21 Hayes St., Norwich, NY 13815.