NORWICH – Gordon R. “Pops” Smith, 89, of Norwich, passed away on Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2011 at the NYS Veterans’ Home, Oxford.
He was born on April 4, 1922 in Penelope, a son of the late Ray and Mabel (Brown) Smith.
Pops is survived by his children, Raymond (Larry) and Cathy Smith, Gordie Smith and Sharon Winans, Jerry and Elaine Smith, and Tiger Smith all of Oxford; his sisters, Florence Hitt of Sherburne and Dorothy and Melvin Manwarren of Norwich. Seventeen grandchildren, 27 great grandchildren, 8 great-great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews also survive. He was predeceased by his wife Norma Smith; his daughters, Carol Simpson and Beverly Oles; and his brothers, Ivan Smith and Richard Smith.
Pops was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II and a member of Fort Hill Post #376, American Legion. He started his own business, Gordon’s Garage in 1956. Prior to that he was shop foreman over approximately thirty people at Shepler’s Hudson and International Truck dealership in Oxford. He was active in auto racing for over 60 years, having raced himself and then helping his sons and grandchildren with their racing endeavors. He had raced at Afton, Smyrna, Morris, Norwich and Five Mile Point. He was a member of the O-we-go Racing Hall of Fame, the Midstate Racing Hall of Fame and was honored as one of the 50 greatest drivers at Five Mile Point Speedway. An avid bowler, he was a member of the Norwich Bowling Hall of Fame.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday from the Behe Funeral Home, 21 Main St., Oxford with Rev. Ralph Hinman officiating. Burial with full military honors will be in Riverview Cemetery, Oxford.
Friends may call at the Behe Funeral Home on Friday from 4 to 7 p.m.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Oxford Emergency Squad, PO Box 172, Oxford, NY or Fort Hill Post #376, American Legion, PO Box 217, Oxford, NY 13830.
Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting the funeral home website behefuneralhome.com.