Obituary of John Smith

John Smith, 93, of Schenectady, passed away peacefully, November 21, 2011 at Ellis Hospital of natural causes. He was born February 13, 1918, the son of the late Herman and Margaret Smith. John was truly a self-made and self-educated man whose work ethic, determination and self-reliance were forged during the Great Depression. John left school in the seventh grade and enlisted in the Civilian Conservation Corps. The work was grueling and unforgiving, but it introduced him to the Adirondacks, an area that he would keep returning to for most of his life to fish, hunt, camp and hike with family and friends. John embodied the CCC's unofficial motto: "We Can Take It!" and exemplified it throughout his life, by teaching himself to repair watches, building his house from the ground up and enrolling in a correspondence course to teach himself electricity. The latter achievement led him to become employed as an electrician for the American Locomotive Company for 32 years and at M. Gold & Son, Inc., for 15 years. John was a pleasant spirit whose love for learning was only surpassed by his love for teaching others what he knew. His incredible legacy lives on in those that he inspired, especially his wife, Marjorie (Mimi) of 66 years, by his daughter, Peggy Conti along with her children; Philip Jr. (Lynn) along with their children Anais, Philip III and Emily; Bob (Barb) and their son Calvin; Chad (Jen) and their children, Alex and Lydia and Brenda Ross (Mike) and by his son, John Smith of Pittsburgh, PA, with his wife, Becky and son, Ben. John was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather whose spirit will continue to shine brilliantly every time we smile and think of him. He is also survived by his sister, Margaret (Molly). He was preceded in death by his six siblings and son-in-law, Phil Conti Sr. The family would like to thank the administration and staff at Dutch Manor Nursing Home on Hamburg St. in Schenectady for their years of dedicated service to John. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, November 25, 2011 at 9 a.m. at St. Paul the Apostle Church with burial following at Most Holy Redeemer Cemetery in Schenectady. Memorial contributions may be made, in lieu of flowers, to St. Jude's Tribute Program, PO Box 1000, Department 142, Memphis, TN 38148, Attention: Tribute #29302994