Obituary of Thomas Smith

Thomas B. Smith, 94, of Scotia passed away on November 27, 2012 at his home. Born in Newburgh, NY, he was the son of the late Samuel and Margaret Smith. The family moved to the area when Tom was four and he remained a life-long resident of Scotia. He was a graduate of Scotia High School and the General Electric Apprentice Training Program. He subsequently worked for GE for 46 years in various capacities in the Aeronautics and Guided Missiles businesses, retiring as a manufacturing engineer from the Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory in 1983. His work for GE was interrupted by service in World War II, where he served as a torpedoman in the US Navy based in Key West, Florida. Tom was an avid sportsman and outdoors enthusiast. As a young man, he was an accomplished gymnast. He took up skiing in the 1930s and skied throughout the northeast. For several decades he was a dedicated swimmer at the Schenectady YMCA. Along with his family, he enjoyed camping, hiking, and canoeing in the Adirondacks. He had been a member of the Schenectady Turnverein (Gymnastics Society), Schenectady Wintersports Club, Hickory Hill ski area, and the Glen Hills Swim Club. He was a skilled craftsman and wood-worker, making everything from furniture to his own skis, ski bindings, snowshoes, archery bows, and pack baskets, among other items. Tom was devoted to his family. He helped his children make creative Halloween costumes, volunteered at their ski races and swim meets, and patiently sat through their piano and ballet recitals. He was predeceased by his wife of 54 years, Alice, and his brother Stewart. He will be lovingly remembered by his daughters Susan Smith and Carol Carey, and her husband, Andrew; his sister Margaret (Mickey) Pohl; his sister-in-law Virginia (Sally) Born; and his nieces and nephews, Nancy Karm (John); Catherine Pohl (Richard Carstensen); Eric Pohl (Diane Tryneski); Keith Born (Jill); and Tom Born (Kay). Friends are invited to calling hours from 10 to 11a.m. on Saturday, December 1, 2012, in the Fireplace Room at Scotia United Methodist Church on 201 N. Ten Broeck Street. A memorial service celebrating his life will follow at 11 a.m. Interment will be at Sweetman Cemetery in Charlton, NY. Donations may be made to the Schenectady YMCA or a charity of one's choice. Arrangements are under the direction of the Glenville Funeral Home; 9 Glenridge Road Glenville, New York 12302 (glenvillefuneralhome.com)