Obituary of Allan H. Smith

A life led well ended on December 24th, 2015. Born November 28, 1935 to Ruth Ries and Robert Hughes Smith. Married and survived by his best friend and wife of 56 years, Nancy Young Smith, daughters Karen Smith-Gulaskey (Ron), Linda Smith Munyan and Megan Branch (Kevin). Grandchildren Alison, Chloe, Quincy, Cooper and Emma, cousins, nieces, nephews and many friends. Predeceased by his parents, in law's, grandson Colin, many friends and family. Allan, or "Al" to all that met him, was a lifelong resident of Irondequoit, NY. As a boy growing up in the house built by his beloved grandfather Ries, he spent his days playing in the woods by Irondequoit Bay and playing whatever sport was in season with neighborhood friends. When high school approached, he chose to attend Irondequoit High School (IHS) instead of Franklin, where both of his parents taught. At IHS, he continued friendships from Durand Middle School and met new friends including. Many of these friends he continued to keep up with at a weekly breakfast club at Parkside Diner. Al graduated in 1953 from the "new" IHS where he met Nancy. Al attended Bucknell University and later graduated from the University of Rochester with a BS in Business. In 1955, he began his 37 year career at Eastman Kodak Company, starting out doing trick work in building 65 while he attended night classes. In 1968, Al moved into a management position at Kodak where he stayed until 1986. After downsizing, Al moved to the Contact Screen Dept.until 1991. In November 1991, Al retired after without ever taking a single sick day. In 1959, after 6 years of dating, he married Nancy Young. In 1963, Al and Nancy were blessed with their first daughter Karen. Al and Nancy completed their family with two more daughters, Linda and Megan. Al enjoyed family vacations on Cape Cod in the summer, annual treks to Vermont with Nancy in the fall and family Christmases at home. Al and Nancy welcomed new additions to their family, including sons-in-laws and grandchildren Colin, Alison, Chloe, Quincy, Cooper and Emma. Throughout his life, Al was a vital member of Irondequoit United Church of Christ, where he served on many boards and committees, as a Stephens' Minister, and as RAIHN volunteer. He was past director, treasurer and volunteer of the Salem Nutrition Center. After retiring, Al worked at the Genesee Country Village and museum for more than 20 years, as an interpreter and tour guide. Al's favorite retirement activity alongside volunteering was travelling around the country and cruising the world with Nancy. Al was a Smith in the true sense of the word, he was a craftsman in everything he did. The following is an excerpt from an interview with Al by his granddaughter Alison Branch in August of 2015; Whether he is on the golf course or volunteering at the soup kitchen, my grandfather, who we called "Pop Pop", is a calm, interesting man who everyone could benefit from a conversation with. Allan Smith, a man of all trades, is an amazing husband to my grandma, an extraordinary father to my mom and her two sisters and most importantly, an impeccable grandfather to his grandkids Emma, Cooper, Quincy, Chloe and Ali. Poppop is a very strong man with a very big heart and he never let anything get in the way of what he knows he has been called to do. As Poppop says, "Bad days always have something positive going on also." He has taught me and many others that the best way to deal with tough moments is to focus on the great things going on in life, such as serendipity or your latest accomplishment. It is a very hard thing to do, but the man who models it for me has mastered the trade. As a matter of fact, I have never seen him get angry or blow up on anyone for things he can't control. Everyone gets their knowledge from somewhere. Poppop has learned from and admires Bob Bermudes and Abraham Lincoln. Bob Bermudes, the former pastor of IUCC, taught Poppop the lesson that providing comfort to friends and family takes precedence over obligation. Next, Poppop admires Abe Lincoln for the way he dealt with personal and public challenges. President Lincoln used humor to deface the intensity of problems. Poppop also lives by Abe's moto, "With malice towards none." "Our concern should not be how long we live, but how we live. God holds the length, we hold the matter of living." This quote from Ann Allen is Poppop's favorite quote that has helped him through the struggles of life. Along with this quote, Poppop's philosophy on how we should live life is to think of the glass half full, rather than half empty. This metaphor means to make the best of every situation. Poppop taught us to respect everyone, because every person on this earth deserves dignity. The giving man that I call Poppop is always doing something for others. As well as getting some form of exercise every day such as golfing or taking a trip to the YMCA, Poppop works hard at the soup kitchen as the director, guiding tours and dressing in costume at Genesee Country Village and Museum, and making IUCC more inviting to everyone. I have always been taught that giving back is very important and I have always known that Poppop does a great deal of community service, but I didn't realize how much he did on a daily basis until this interview. A celebration of his life will be held at Irondequoit United Church of Christ, 644 Titus Avenue, January 9, 2015 1:00 PM.. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to one of Al's favorite charities: Salem Nutrition Center, 60 Bittner St., Rochester NY, 14604; Genesee Country Village and Museum,1410 Flint Hill Rd, PO Box 310, Mumford, NY 14511; Irondequoit United Church of Christ Memorial Fund, 644 Titus Avenue, Rochester, NY 14617.