James Robert Smith

WEST CHAZY - James Robert Smith passed peacefully into eternal life on March 6, 2014 at the Clinton County Nursing Home. Throughout his short illness he never lost his sense of humor.
Jim was born on March 13, 1926 in Ausable Forks, New York. He was the 4th child of 11 children born to William H. and Ethel M. (Reid) Smith.
Jim graduated from Ausable Forks High School and enlisted in the United States Army two weeks later. He served in World War II as a Company Clerk in Italy. He suffered non-combat related burns during an explosion. Upon his honorable discharge, he returned home and attended Champlain College in Plattsburgh. He later retired from a long career at Diamond International and as a self-employed custodial contractor.
Jim is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Carolyn (Donivan) Smith; his son Gary (Ginny) Smith of West Chazy; his daughter Gail (Marcel) Giroux of Plattsburgh; daughter Christine (Refik) Ozkan of Clifton Park; daughter Pamela Carter of British Columbia, Canada; son Todd (Laurie) Smith of Florida; daughter Amy (Paul) Grabkowski of Clifton Park; one sister, Ellie (Alan) Dickerson of Elizabethtown; 14 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, mother-in-law Beulah LaVarnway (age 105), sister and brother-in-law Dolores and Milton “Chuck” Barnes, brother-in-law Kenneth Weeden and sisters-in-law Helen, Marion, and Sylvia Smith as well as Patti Fitzgerald. All of his family was very special to him.
Special heartfelt hugs go out to his granddaughter, Andrea Giroux (Greyson Abt), for her selfless love and companionship during her “Papa’s” final months. He looked forward to her daily visits and the laughs they shared. The family would also like to thank the staff at CVPH, Meadowbrook, Clinton County Nursing Home, and Hospice of the North Country for helping with Jim’s care.
Jim loved to go deer hunting in the Adirondacks and the Southern Tier with his many brothers and nephews. He loved working with stained glass and wood, taking special pride in lovingly crafting cedar-lined oak hope chests for his family. Family camping adventures were abundant, and he loved to travel to visit family in the US and Canada. Planning family gatherings at local restaurants was a specialty as well as consuming church harvest dinners, far and wide, especially corned beef and cabbage. In his later years, trips to the local casino were a special treat.
Jim was predeceased by his parents, his sisters and their spouses Mary (Bill) King, Janet (Bill) Gilliam; his brothers and their spouses Horatio “Bucky” (Francis “Fran”), Clarence (Evelyn), William “Billy”, Lloyd, Raymond, George and Vincent Smith, sister-in-law Phyllis (Donivan) Weeden, and his son-in-law Terry Carter of British Columbia.
As a member of this country’s greatest generation, Jim desired to travel with the North Country Honor Flight to visit the WW II Memorial in Washington, D.C., but it was a trip he was unable to make. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made in Jim’s memory to: North Country Honor Flight, 1 Derek Drive, Keeseville, NY 12944. This will enable other veteran’s to fulfill their dream of making this trip.
In keeping with Jim’s wishes, there will be no calling hours or memorial service.
arrangements have been entrusted to Heald Funeral Home, 48 Court Street Plattsburgh.
To light a candle or leave an online condolence please visit www.healdfuneralhomeinc.com