James H. Smith passed away at Leesburg Regional Medical Center on March 24, 2015 at age 79. Calling hours will be held from 1 – 2 p.m. and a memorial service from 2 – 3 p.m. at the Russell Volunteer Fire Department on May 2, 2015. He was born on August 11, 1935 in Ogdensburg, son of Helen and Gerald Smith.
Suriving are his wife of 58 yrs, Doris, Russell; daughter Sue (Smith) Yerdon and her husband Rich, Westfield, MA; son Jon Smith and friend, Stacy, Russell; grandchildren Aaron Smith, Raleigh, NC, Stacey McCormick and her husband Brian, Orchard Park, Adam White, Nashville, TN, Katelynn Smith and James C. Smith, Russell; great grandson Alex McCormick, Orchard Park; daughter-in-law Sue Fortin and her daughter Megan, Watertown; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. His beloved Aunt Lex and her daughter, Sarah, still live in Charlestown, NH.
His son James H. Smith, Jr. predeceased him in 1977.
Jim graduated from Knox Memorial High School in 1952 and married Doris Merithew on August 25, 1956 at Dekalb Jct. Methodist Church. He attended Syracuse Barber School in 1965; apprentice barber at Eli Gardner’s Barber Shop, Canton, in 1965; worked at Newton Falls Paper Mill 1965 – 1991; owned and operated Jim’s Barber Shop 1966 – 1985 Russell; owned and operated Jim’s Sales 1981 – 1991 Russell; opened Smith’s Service Station Russell, 1985 – 1991; opened Smitty’s Kwik Stop, Canton, 1987 – sold 1992.
He was a Charter Member Russell Volunteer Fire Department since 1957; member of Black Brook, Frank Kelly Memorial, 10 Point (Prattsburgh), & Clare Fish & Game Hunting Clubs; a 32 degree Mason, Mason since 1957, High 12 member since 2006 (in Florida); and belonged to Russell, Hermon & Edwards Lodges. Jim also belonged to St. Lawrence County Fire Police Assoc, Russell Atwater Senior Citizen Assoc, & St. Lawrence Power & Equipment Museum. He wintered in Leesburg, FL.
In lieu of flowers contributions can be made to the Russell Volunteer Fire Department, Russell or St. Lawrence Power & Equipment Museum, Madrid.