Marion, NY: After a courageous battle with cancer Albert “Willie” Smith passed peacefully on Saturday 11/30/19 surrounded by his family. Al is preceded in death by his wife Janis K. Smith, and brother John Smith. He is survived by his four children Scott Smith, Adam Smith, Jessica Curran and Bryan Smith. Al was also blessed with five grandchildren whom he adored and loved unconditionally.
Al was born in 1944 in Beckley West Virginia to the late Mrytle and Albert Smith. The son of a coal miner, Al never lost his love of the West Virginia Mountains. Al then moved to Long Island where he graduated high school and developed a love of the seaside, digging up raw clams with his brother Johnny until unfortunately he developed an ironic anaphylactic allergy to all shellfish that followed him the rest of his adult life.
Al later graduated from Wake Forest University with a degree in mathematics where he was recruited by the Department of Defense and spent his time there handcuffed to a briefcase. After a few years of learning government secrets, he moved to Rochester NY where he was employed for nearly 40 years at the National institute of the deaf (NTID) at RIT where he made lifelong friendships.
Al was a talented woodworker, and a passionate hunter, but most of all Al was a devoted father, grandfather, and friend to many and will be greatly missed.
Following his wishes, there will be no formal services. However, well-wishers are encouraged to contribute to their local cancer center or charity of choice. His family would like to share a special thank you to his doctors and especially his nurses at the University of Rochester Wilmot Cancer Center for their unrelenting support and friendship over the past three years.