Joseph D. Smith

COLONIE – Joseph D. Smith, 84, of Colonie, passed away peacefully on Thursday February 28, 2013 at the Inn of Community Hospice at St. Peter's Hospital, surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Albany to the late James A. and Margaret Kessler Smith.

Joe worked for the General Electric Company (GE) for 33 years and retired as Senior Buyer at the GE Research and Development Laboratory in Schenectady. He served honorably in the Army National Guard for 7 years.

Joe was very active in the community. Joe was a communicant of St. Mary's Church in Albany, proudly serving for many years as an Usher. Joe also served as President of the Roessleville High School Alumni Association. Joe had a great love of bowling, and as a Certified Junior Bowling Instructor, shared his passion for the sport for many years as a bowling coach at Redwood Lanes, Del Lanes, and at the Playdium Bowling Center. As a member of the Albany Bowling Association (ABA), Joe was a member of numerous committees and also served the ABA as President, Secretary-Treasurer, and as a member of the Board of Directors. Joe was honored to be inducted into the Albany Bowling Association Hall of Fame in 1988. Joe also loved the game of baseball and served as the first Treasurer of the Colonie Little League when it received its charter on May 23, 1955. Over the years he coached many Little League and Babe Ruth teams and was also a certified umpire.
In addition to his parents, Joe was predeceased by his brother James Smith and his sister Shirley Bartholomew. Joe is survived by his beloved wife of 63 years, Marjorie LaChapelle Smith, and he was the devoted father of Joseph (Nancy) Smith Jr. of Dallas, TX, Gary Smith of Colonie, and Lynne (William) Shea of Clifton Park. He is also survived by seven cherished grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be Tuesday morning at 8:30 at New Comer Cannon Funeral Home, 343 New Karner Rd. Colonie then to Historic St. Mary's Church on Capitol Hill at 9:30 where the Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated. Calling hours will be Monday from 4 to 7 pm at the funeral home. Interment will be in St. John's Lutheran Cemetery, Colonie. Memorial contributions may be made in Joe's name to Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, 1500 Rosecrans Ave., Suite 200 Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 www.pancan.org .