Geneseo: At age 85, Jack passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 28, 2021 at the Teresa House in Geneseo. He was born in Macedon, NY to the late Frederick and Kathleen Smith. Jack is predeceased by his great grandson, Ryan C. Keller. Survived by his beloved wife of 63 years, Betty J. Smith, his sons; Jeffrey (Lisa) Smith, Craig Smith, Mark (Pam) Smith, his brothers; Frederick (Parania) Smith, Daniel (Roberta) Smith, his grandchildren; Lindsay (Adam) Keller, Justin (Whitney) Smith, John Smith, Riley Smith, Jake Smith, Molly Smith, and his great grandchildren; Thomas, Stella, and Kendrick, along with several nieces, nephews and friends.
Jack was a U.S. Army veteran and a graduate of SUNY Brockport. He taught Physical Education for 31 years at Rush-Henrietta Central School, retiring in 1992. He was the Varsity Baseball coach for 20 years, with 5 County championships, one Section V championship and over 200 wins. In 12 years of coaching girls’ soccer, his teams had over 100 wins and one County championship. Jack was active in youth sports, serving as Director of the RHAA Summer Baseball program for several years. Jack also started the Vince Lombardi Football program in Livonia in 1973, a program that continues today as the Livonia Jr. Bulldog program. Jack was an avid N.Y. Yankees fan as well as a loyal Buffalo Bills fan. In his retirement Jack and Betty enjoyed traveling the world. He also enjoyed playing Sr. Softball in St. Petersburg, Fl. during the winter and Sr. Softball in Irondequoit during the summer. Florida was his happy place. Above all he loved his grandchildren, never missing an opportunity to talk (some would say “brag”) about their successes.
Friends and family are invited to call from 3-6PM on Thursday, December 9, 2021 at the Kevin W. Dougherty Funeral Home, 21 Big Tree Street in Livonia, where Jack’s memorial service will take place at 11 AM on Friday, December 10, 2021. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: _The Teresa House, 21 Highland Rd, Geneseo, NY 14454 or to the Jack Smith Memorial Scholarship, P.O. Box 466, Livonia, NY, 14487. To share a memory or a condolence, please visit: www.doughertyfuneralhomes.com.