THERESA, NY — On Saturday afternoon, Jan. 19, 2019, Clifton H. Smith, 97, our uncle, a life long Theresa resident, passed away at home surrounded with love and tears from us and his caretaker. He will be missed by all of us. He truly was a man of honor and loyalty.
Born Nov. 27, 1921, in Theresa, the son of the late Myron and Hazel Pool Smith, he was educated in Theresa schools.
He married Lorena Rudes, daughter of the late Earl Rudes and Vera Rudes Butts on April 25, 1942 at the Philadelphia Methodist parsonage with Rev. A. L. Strause officiating. Mrs. Smith was a 1941 graduate of Antwerp High School and retired as secretary of the Fort Drum Officer’s Club in 1989. Mrs. Smith was a fifty year member, past matron and secretary for many years for the Theresa Chapter 149 Order of the Eastern Star. She died June 13, 2018.
Mr. and Mrs. Smith observed their 76th anniversary on April 25, 2018, with dinner and friends at the Theresa Fire Department Annual Banquet.
He was a member of the NYS Highway Association, serving eighteen years as highway superintendent for the Town of Theresa, retiring in 1991, a forty eight plus year member of the Theresa Fire Department, where he served as treasurer for a number of years, was a member of FASNY, Jefferson County Firemen’s Association, a sixty year honorary member and past Master of the Theresa Masonic Lodge 174 and honorary member of the Philadelphia Masonic Lodge 916, charter member of the Theresa Emergency Corps., a past president of the Theresa Rotary Club and was a Commissioner for the Theresa Fire District for forty six years until April 12, 2018 when he resigned due to ill health.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Smith will be so missed by all, especially their nieces who loved them so much and will be lost not seeing them again at the farm. We love you Uncle Clif and Aunt Lorena. You were and still are The Best.
Survivors include two nieces; Shirley J. Wright and Mary Gismondi, both of Clayton, NJ; nieces and nephews and many friends.
Two brothers, Kenneth Smith and Karlton “Ty” Smith and two sisters, Alma LePine and Doris Murray, all died before him.
A graveside service at Oakwood Cemetery, Theresa, will be in the spring
Arrangements are with Frederick Bros. Funeral Home, Theresa.
Donations may be made to the Theresa Fire Department, 400 Mill Street, Theresa, NY, 13691, Hospice of Jefferson County, 1398 Gotham Street, Watertown, NY, 13601 or the Philadelphia Masonic Lodge 916, Philadelphia, NY, 13673.
Condolences may be made online at www.frederickbrosfuneralhome.com.
