Obituary of George A. Smith

George A. Smith, 94, of Delmar passed away Wednesday, June 7, 2023, after a brief illness with his loving son by his side.

Born February 2, 1929, George was the son of Henry Smith and Mary Fenton Smith. He grew up loving the ocean in Southampton, New York, and graduated as valedictorian of his class at Southampton High School. He went on to attend college at Villanova University and then received a Master’s Degree in Industrial Labor Relations at Cornell University.

After college, George moved to Albany to start his long career with the Civil Service Department of New York State, from which he retired. He married his wife of 62 years, Janet Akerstrom Smith, and with her raised three children in Delmar.

George was an outdoor enthusiast and shared his love of hiking and sailing with his children and grandchildren during summers spent on the shores of Lake George. He was an avid skier and was on the slopes as his grandchildren learned to ski, well into his 80s.

In retirement George volunteered at Mediation Matters and the Executive Services Corps of Tri-Cities (ESCOT) while also spending time with his six beloved grandchildren.

George was predeceased by his wife Janet and his three siblings, Shelia Smith, Frances Bridger, and Henry Smith. He is survived by his three children, Carolyn (James) Schimanski, Chris (Kerry Dewitt) Smith, and Ellen (Paul) Kelly and his grandchildren, Maggie, Katie, and Tristan Schimanski and Emma, Elise, and Devin Kelly.

Calling hours will be held at Applebee Funeral Home, 403 Kenwood Avenue, Delmar NY, on Friday, June 16 from 4-6 PM. Burial will be at the Bethlehem Cemetery on Saturday, June 17 at 11 AM followed by a memorial luncheon.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Friends of Five Rivers in support of Five Rivers Environmental Education Center, a local preserve with 10 miles of connecting trails on 450 acres of protected green space, where George spent countless hours with his children and grandchildren over the years.