John Smith

John Smith Obituary

John L. Smith, 99 of Hornell, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Monday, September 29, 2025, at the home of his son.

John was born April 9, 1926, in Arkport, NY, to the late Elmer Jack and Hazel Belle (Clark) Smith. He was the second child of five, including Doris (Ralph) Bloom, Katherine (Charles) Storm, Donald (Kate) Smith, and Anne (John) Trentanelli, all of whom predeceased him.

John entered the US Army in 1943 and proudly served in WWII, stationed in the Philippines and Japan. He was awarded the Army of Occupation Medal while serving in Japan. He received an honorable discharge as a Private First Class.

He is known as Hornell's oldest living veteran and was a proud member of the Hornell VFW and Canisteo American Legion.

In 1951, he married his wife, Carolyn Ann Nichols Smith. They had 12 children together. Carolyn preceded him in death, along with three of their daughters: Anna Smith Valentine, Darlene Lynn Smith, Cory Sue Smith, one son, Kenneth Faye Smith, a granddaughter, Joleene Smith Palmer, and several great-grandchildren.

John was a jack of all trades, working many jobs in his long lifetime. In addition to employment at Corning Glass Works, John worked as a mechanic and a carpenter. His longest employment was with Fred Johnson & Son, Inc., where he worked doing blacktopping for 60 years, retiring for the last time at the age of 97. He was well known and recognized in the community for his hard work ethic and dedication to his family and to Johnsons.

John was an avid hunter and taught many of his kids and grandchildren the love of hunting. He also enjoyed fishing, riding snowmobiles, motorcycles, and ATVs. What he loved most was dancing! For many years, he could be found on a dance floor on any given Saturday night, dancing a two-step or square dance.

He is survived by his children: John Smith of Canisteo; Elmer (Kathleen) Smith of Hornell; Christine Smith of Hornell; Delores (Lisa) Smith of Wainwright, Alaska; William (Patricia) Donovan of Branson, Missouri; Terry (Richard) Woodworth of Angleton, Texas; and Donald (Kimberly) Smith of Canisteo.

He is also survived by his current wife, Jennifer Raish Smith, their children, Mark (Jessica) Raish of Canisteo Scott (Samantha) Raish of Savona, NY, and Robert Smith (Sarah Elwell) of Hornell.

In addition to his 15 children, John leaves behind a legacy of 58 living grandchildren, 92 great-grandchildren, and 25 great-great-grandchildren.

John loved his family and was happiest when surrounded by his many grandchildren, several of whom he raised and helped raise. John was well known and liked by all who met him for a moment and by those who knew him for a lifetime.

We would like to offer a special thank you to the Bath VA and CAREFIRST for providing medical services and care during his illness, and to his granddaughters Jamie Smith, Kendra Ridgeway and Jazmyne Ridgeway for taking care of him these past months.

The family will receive visitors at Brown & Powers Funeral Home, Canisteo Street, Hornell, NY, on Sunday, October 5, 2025, from 12-2 pm and 4-6 pm, with a Funeral Service at 6 pm. Burial will be at Woodlawn Cemetery, Greenwood Street, Canisteo, NY on Monday, October 6, 2025, at 1:00 pm, with Military Honors, with a dinner following at the Hornell VFW at 4:00 pm. All are welcome to come to share a story or a memory.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Bath VA Recreational Dept.