RAYMOND NELSON SMITHST ALBANS - Raymond "Ray" Smith, 86, passed away peacefully at home on Nov. 9, 2010, surrounded by his loving family. Born on May 11, 1924 in West Carthage, N.Y., Ray was the son of the late Norman and Merle Smith. Ray graduated from West Carthage high school class of '42 and worked in San Antonio, TX until he married his high school sweetheart Jeanne Marie Bassett on March 10, 1944 who passed away in 2006. Due to a childhood injury he was unable to serve in the armed forces in WWII. He applied to every branch. So he was thrilled to serve as a civilian in Rome, NY servicing the planes being flown in the war from 1944 until the end of the war. He worked in many different lines of work until he moved to Vermont in 1965 and went to work at the new IBM plant in Essex Jct. He was working as a facilities designer at the time of his retirement in '86. He stayed busy in retirement building ultralight airplanes and flew out of the Swanton airport. Ray loved his children and grandchildren and would drive many miles to not miss a birthday party or family gathering. He was generous and loved to be busy and have fun. He is predeceased by his parents Norman and Merle Smith, and his brother Norman and sister Carol.
He is survived by his brother Robert L. Smith of Syracuse, NY; and his three children, Tamia and Rob Gastio of Plattsburgh, NY; Harold and Alisa Smith of Fairfax, VT; Rick and Robin Smith of Milton, VT; nine grandchildren and ten great grandchildren.
Visiting hours will be from 5 to 8 P.M. Friday at the Brady & Levesque funeral home in St Albans, VT. The funeral will be held Saturday morning at 10 am at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to the American Cancer Society. An online condolence book has been established for the family at the funeral home website:
www.bnlfh.com. Arrangements are entrusted to the Brady & Levesque Funeral Home and Commemorative Services.
