John L. Smith

John L. Smith April 28, 1919 - January 26, 2013 John L. Smith, 93, of Westvale, New York, devoted father and family man, died peacefully this past Saturday, January 26, 2013. A lifelong resident of the Syracuse, New York area, he was the son of John and Anna (Gau) Smith. John retired as a letter carrier from the US Postal Service Solvay branch in 1977 after 30 years of service. He was an Army veteran of WWII serving in Australia, New Guinea and the Philippines as a deep sea diver. He was also a member of the Civilian Conservation Corps, building infrastructure projects in Washington State. He was a faithful member of Atonement Lutheran Church. John was preceded in death by his best friend and devoted wife of 58 years, Betty Elizabeth Cook Smith in 2004 with whom he spent his early retirement years in Holiday, Florida, returning to Syracuse at the time of his granddaughters birth. John enjoyed spending the summer months with Betty at the camp he built on the Salmon River. He was an avid stamp and coin collector, hunter, fisherman and sports enthusiast especially SU and the Yankees. Johns family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Dr. Charles and his staff, Hospice, Sedgwick Heights and third floor west at Upstate University Hospital at Community General for the care provided. John is survived by his son, Steven (Judy Horn) Smith of Syracuse, New York; daughter in-law, Gay Alvaro of Syracuse, New York; granddaughter, Holly Smith of Seattle, Washington; his cats PK and Peanut; nieces, Bonnie and Anne; nephews, John and Peter; several great nieces, great nephews, great-great nieces and great-great nephews. John was preceded in death by his sisters, Shirley and Vera; brother, Sheldon and niece Pamela. Services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, December 30, 2013 in Atonement Lutheran Church. Burial will be in White Chapel Memory Gardens, Kinne Road, DeWitt, New York. An hour of calling will be from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. at the church, 116 W. Glen Avenue, Syracuse 13205. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Atonement Lutheran Church or to CNY SPCA, 5878 E Molloy Rd Syracuse, NY 13211. To express sympathy please visit www.ballweg-lunsford.com.