WESTFIELD: Henry J. Smith, Sr., 69, of Prospect Station Road, Westfield, died Sunday, July 31st, 2022 at his residence, following a courageous battle with ALS. He was born in Silver Creek on March 17, 1953, the son of the late Edward and Marie (Swackhammer) Smith.
Henry worked as an Assistant Manager for the former Nixon’s Grape Farm, Westfield, for 28 years. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, camping, traveling and attending auctions.
Survivors include his wife Janet M. (Hardy) Smith of Westfield, whom he married on July 3, 1976, in the Forestville Baptist Church, a son, Henry Smith, Jr., of Westfield; a daughter, Jennifer Sipp, of Dunkirk; two sisters, Cathy (Dennis) Gould, of Forestville; Rose (Jerry) Miller, of Forestville; three brothers, Robert (April) Smith, of Silver Creek; Richard (Claudia) Smith, of Forestville; John (Marion) Smith, of Silver Creek. He is also survived by two grandchildren Aurora Britton and Sophia Smith and several nieces & nephews.
Friends are welcome to call at Riles & Woolley Funeral Home, 39 Main Street, Forestville on Wednesday from 11 AM-1 PM from where Funeral Services will follow at 1 o’clock, with Rev. Michael Pollock, pastor of Gage Chapel Community Church, Smith Mills, officiating. Interment will follow in Evergreen Lawn Cemetery Town of Hanover.
The family suggests memorials may be made to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, 2361 Hylan Boulevard, Staten Island, NY 10306 (https://t2t.org/donate). To post condolences or memories go to www.rilesandwoolleyfuneralhome.com.
6 Comments
Harold and Cindy Anger
We were so sad to hear of Henry’s illness and passing, he was so fun and full of life. We will miss him!
We will keep Janet and Henry’s family in our thoughts and prayers.
Kevin, Barbara, Ryan, Ali & Rachel Policay
Our thoughts and prayers are for the entire Smith family. We have such fond memories of Henry during our visits to Westfield. He would always take the kids on a tractor ride, wave to us all as he passed by on Munson Road and always brought a smile to our faces with some great jokes and stories he would share.
One of the highlights of our visits for Kevin was the amazing country breakfasts that the guys would always go out to each year.
The entire family is thankful for the time we had with Henry and all he did for us.
Donna (Ortel) Skeddle
Janet and family, so sorry to hear of Henrys passing. Prayers for your healing hearts and your path forward without him. God Bless.
Nancy Nixon Ensign
Nancy Nixon Ensign and Jake Ensign:
Our thoughts and prayers are for Henry’s family as they surround themselves with loving memories. I had the great pleasure of knowing Henry when I moved back to the area in 2001. Henry had this incredible flair for storytelling and he was always ready to share a smile or joke with us. We all lived vicariously through his adventures in life: family camping, hunting and fishing, or his home projects. Henry was ever present for our family farm, and I was lucky enough to harvest our vineyards working with George Abbey, Henry and my Mom. Even early in the morning, he was ready with mischief or laughter bringing joy to every occasion which made us love him even more. He will always be remembered with great joy, laughter, and love.
Joel Potash
Dear Janet and family,
Sorry for your loss. I fortunately married into the Nixon clan. One cold spring day, Henry and George put up with me and taught me how to trim grapevines. We started the day with breakfast in a diner, toured some outside wood burning furnaces, and while my wrist hurt at the end of the day, all I remember is kindness, support, and tolerance of my inadequacy as a trimmer, while Henry and George patiently hung with me as I slowed them down. I hav3 a Nixon Bros. T shirt to show fo4 it. Thanks Henry.RIP.
Alexander Nixon
Dear Janet and family,
I too have many hilarious memories of Henry. His tricks on me when I was a bin tender overwhelmed by the deluge of leaves and mice. Making sure I paid paid the break bill at the Sherman Diner. Always an optimist. Lots of projects: maple syrup (tapping the maple trees at my house), thinning out the Lake woods on my double axle trailer. He is probably working on the Pearly Gates. That’s our Henry.