SOUTH PLYMOUTH – John R. Smith, 78, of State Rt. 23, South Plymouth, passed away unexpectedly Monday morning, Oct. 16, 2006, at his home.
Born in Pharsalia on June 25, 1928, John was the son of Donald O. and Mildred (Mowers) Smith. He grew up on the family farm and attended school in South Otselic. John began his 39-year career with the Chenango County Highway Dept. in 1944, starting as a laborer, working his way up to foreman, and finally retiring in 1983 as deputy superintendent. His career was interrupted briefly in 1951 when he joined the U.S. Army, but he received his honorable discharge shortly thereafter because of an old knee injury and returned to the highway department. Concurrently with his county employment, John continued to be a dairy farmer, an occupation he enjoyed for more than 50 years.
On April 10, 1954, in Oxford, John married Winifred Franklin, and through their 52 years of marriage they worked the dairy farm and raised their family. John belonged to the New York State Horse Pulling Association, Pony Pulling Association, Tractors of Yesteryear, and the Plymouth Historical Society. In 2004, John and Winnie were named Mr. and Mrs. Chenango County by the Chenango County Agricultural Society (Chenango County Fair).
John is survived by his wife, Winnie Smith of South Plymouth; by his children: Matthew “Duke” Smith and wife Brenda, and Derek Smith and wife Kirn, all of South Plymouth; and by his sisters and brothers: Harriet Leigh of Norwich, Linda Springer of North Pharsalia, Everett Smith of Louisiana, Carroll Smith and wife Margaret of Sherburne, and Calvin Smith and wife Vicki of Norwich. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Shannon Smith and wife Charlene of South Plymouth, Ashley Vandunk and husband Larry of Florida, and Joshua Smith of South Plymouth; by five great grandchildren, and several sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law. John was predeceased by his brothers and sisters: Donald Smith, 1990; Thelma Smith, 1934; Llewellyn Smith, 1998; and Mary Bennett, 1996.
Funeral services for John will be held at 11 a.m. Friday from the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home. The Rev. Jeremy Stopford, pastor of the Beaver Meadow Christian Church, will officiate. Interment will follow in the Wayside Rest Cemetery of Pharsalia Hook.
Friends are invited to call at the R. J. Fahy Funeral Home on Thursday from 7 to 9 p.m.
John's family has requested that memorial contributions be sent to either the Pharsalia Fire Dept., East Pharsalia, NY 13758; or to the North Pharsalia Bible Church, Rt. 23, South Plymouth, NY 13844.