Kenneth F. Smith

CANTON-- Mr. Kenneth F. Smith of 65 Judson Street and Maplewood Nursing Facility in Canton died on Monday, August 13, 2018.

Mr. Smith was the son of the late Patrick Smith and Gertrude Finn Smith and was born in Fort Covington, NY on June 28, 1923. He was predeceased by his three siblings, Bernard and Paul Smith and Rita Smith Mayhew. He graduated from Potsdam High School in 1941 and entered the U.S. Army the following year. After training he was placed in the Army Air Force and spent the balance of World War II as a radar technician in various postings in the South Pacific including Guadalcanal, Saipan and Okinawa.

Following the War, Mr. Smith moved to Canton where he spent the rest of his life. He worked for the Canton Electric Light and Power Company until it closed in 1969. He then spent the next part of his career working for Niagara Mohawk Power Company. He retired in 1985.

On January 2, 1949 he married Margaret Smith at St. Mary’s Church in Canton. They moved into their new home on Judson Street the following month. They raised three daughters in that home and Mr. Smith loved the land and the house and took care of them with great care through the years. He was very active in the St. Mary’s community, serving as a Trustee from 1961 to 1989. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus in Canton for 71 years and was also active with the Lions Club and a member of the St. Lawrence Golf and Country Club for five decades. He very much enjoyed his hours on the golf course and loved to recount his daily round to those who would listen.

Mr. Smith was a family-centered man who loved and cared for his wife though out their marriage and her last illness which ended in 2000. He loved his daughters, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews and their families very much and never tired of hearing of their lives. He was always aware of national and world news and loved to follow his beloved New York Yankees and New York Giants. He also enjoyed watching golf on television and in his last years found that a decent substitute for not being on the course himself.

Mr. Smith is survived by his daughters Barbara (Andrew) Hochberg; Judy Peters and Teresa (Dominic) Candido; his grandchildren Miranda Hochberg, and Joshua (Jessica) Hochberg, Ryan (Olivia) Peters and Jessica Peters, and Luke Candido, and by his great grandchildren Adrienne and Vincent Peters and Maxton Hochberg. He was also predeceased by his son-in-law, Ross Peters. He will be greatly missed by all who loved him.

Mass of Christian BUrial will be held Friday, August 17, 2018 at 1 p.m. at  St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Canton with Father Bryan Stitt, Pastor, celebrating. Burial with Military Honors to follow the service.  Family and friends may call at the O’Leary Funeral Home in Canton on Thursday from 4-7 p.m.  Memorial Donations in Mr. Smith’s memory can be made to St. Mary’s Parish or to a charity of one’s choice and memories and condolences may be shared online at www.olearyfuneralservice.com .

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