David Walter Smith

David W. Smith, 91, of Baldwinsville, passed away peacefully at home on Monday, November 15, 2010. He was born in Syracuse on Sunday, January 26, 1919, the son of Ethel Lydia Hall Smith and Walter Lewis Smith. He attended Edward Smith and Nottingham Schools. David graduated from Northfield-Mount Hermon Prep School in 1938 and Syracuse University in 1942. He was a partner with his brother Hurlbut in Smith Brothers Business Equipment. A member of the Syracuse Men’s Garden Club, David served as president in 1964 and was recipient of the Master Gardener’s Award in 1965. He was a volunteer for the Old Newsboys Toy Fund for many years, donating his time to raise funds for toys for children who might otherwise not have any. He was an active member of Fairmount Community Church. During World War II, because of his religious beliefs, David was granted Conscientious Objector status and was assigned to “Work of National Importance” under the control of the American Friends Service Committee. For this assignment, he served three years as an orderly at the Connecticut State Mental Hospital in Middletown, Connecticut. Surviving are his wife of 64 years, Carolyn D. Smith; their two daughters and sons-in-law, Shelley and George Spoering of Simsbury, Connecticut and Tracy and Richard Spaeth of Aiken, South Carolina; four grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. There will be no calling hours. A memorial service will be Thursday, November 18 at 11 a.m. at Fairmount Community Church United Church of Christ with Rev. Gary E. Ferner and Becky West, Licensed Minister, officiating. David will be laid to rest in Grahamsville Rural Cemetery, Grahamsville, NY. In lieu of flowers, contributions in David’s memory may be made to Fairmount Community Church United Church of Christ, 4801 West Genesee St., Syracuse, NY 13219 or Hospice of CNY, 990 Seventh North St., Liverpool, NY 13088.