Obituary for Robert J. Smart
Robert J. Smart, 86, passed away peacefully at the Iroquois Nursing Home on January 21, 2020. Born on February 2, 1933, Bob was the only child of the late Joseph and Lillian (Dreaney) Smart of Amsterdam, NY. He excelled in athletics as a young man, with a special talent for baseball. The pitching records he set while playing for his alma mater of St. Lawrence University held for many years after his graduation.
After serving his country for 2 years in the U.S. Army, he returned to Amsterdam and began a long career with the former New York Telephone Company (AT&T) in the accounting division at the Albany business office. Soon after, Bob met and married Penelope Ann Paris of Broadalbin, NY and gained her younger siblings as his own.
Based in Delmar, NY, Bob and Penny raised 3 sons and 2 dogs, seeing all through sickness and health. Their time at their cherished home on Glendale Ave was cut short by the 1984 break-up of the phone company, when Bob’s division transferred to Syracuse under the new entity NYNEX (now Verizon) and a new home base was established in Manlius. After retirement with over 40 years of service, he volunteered to assist the local post office and earned several volunteer awards. He also enjoyed acting as a poll volunteer during local elections.
He is survived by Penny; sons, Joseph (Allison) of Santa Ana, CA and James (Lea) of Jacksonville, FL. Son, Jonathan ((Tracy) predeceased him in 2015. In addition to his children, he leaves behind numerous grandchildren: Olivia, Miles, Valerie, Jessica, Steven and Nicole. His in-laws also mourn his passing: William (Joan) Paris of Lansdale, PA, Ellen (Phil) Goguen of Grafton, MA and Margaret Paris of Slingerlands, NY. He will be remembered by family and friends as a loving father who was kind and considerate to all.
Our thanks to the wonderful nurses and caregivers at Iroquois who took such good care of Bob since 2013.
Family and friends may call from 11 am to Noon on Saturday, February 1 at Eaton-Tubbs Fayetteville Chapel, 7191 E. Genesee St., Fayetteville. The funeral will follow the calling hours. Burial will be in White Chapel Memory Gardens in DeWitt.
After serving his country for 2 years in the U.S. Army, he returned to Amsterdam and began a long career with the former New York Telephone Company (AT&T) in the accounting division at the Albany business office. Soon after, Bob met and married Penelope Ann Paris of Broadalbin, NY and gained her younger siblings as his own.
Based in Delmar, NY, Bob and Penny raised 3 sons and 2 dogs, seeing all through sickness and health. Their time at their cherished home on Glendale Ave was cut short by the 1984 break-up of the phone company, when Bob’s division transferred to Syracuse under the new entity NYNEX (now Verizon) and a new home base was established in Manlius. After retirement with over 40 years of service, he volunteered to assist the local post office and earned several volunteer awards. He also enjoyed acting as a poll volunteer during local elections.
He is survived by Penny; sons, Joseph (Allison) of Santa Ana, CA and James (Lea) of Jacksonville, FL. Son, Jonathan ((Tracy) predeceased him in 2015. In addition to his children, he leaves behind numerous grandchildren: Olivia, Miles, Valerie, Jessica, Steven and Nicole. His in-laws also mourn his passing: William (Joan) Paris of Lansdale, PA, Ellen (Phil) Goguen of Grafton, MA and Margaret Paris of Slingerlands, NY. He will be remembered by family and friends as a loving father who was kind and considerate to all.
Our thanks to the wonderful nurses and caregivers at Iroquois who took such good care of Bob since 2013.
Family and friends may call from 11 am to Noon on Saturday, February 1 at Eaton-Tubbs Fayetteville Chapel, 7191 E. Genesee St., Fayetteville. The funeral will follow the calling hours. Burial will be in White Chapel Memory Gardens in DeWitt.