FULTON, NY – Donald J. Smith, 79, of Fulton passed away Sunday September 13, 2015, at home surrounded by his loving family.
Born in Fulton to the late John Smith and Josephine Zmikley, Don had resided in the Fulton area his entire life.
He served in the Air Force from 1954 to 1958.
Don enjoyed sports, serving as an umpire and a coach for men’s basketball and softball.
He was past president of the Fulton Softball Association for 20 years, the Fulton City Men’s Basketball League for 35 years, Mat-Pac wrestling in Fulton for 20 years and helped with Fulton Pop-Warner and Fulton Youth hockey.
In addition to his activities with sports, Don loved spending time with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He was predeceased by his brother, Joseph Smith.
Don is survived by his wife of 48 years, Judith; children, Sherry (Kurt) Roulston, Donald (Darle) Smith and Rick (Lauri) Smith; grandchildren, Jill, Felicia, Kelsi, Michael, Sierra and Corey; great-grandchildren, Dylan and Caitlyn; brothers, Stanley (Judy) Smith and John (Carolyn) Smith; mother-in-law, Eleanor Terpening; sister-in-law, Ann Smith; several nieces and nephews and many close friends.
A funeral service will be 11:30 a.m. Thursday, at Foster Funeral Home, 910 Fay St.
Calling hours will be held 3 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, at the funeral home.
Burial will be at Ira Union (White) Cemetery, White Cemetery Road in Ira.
If friends should desire, contributions in Don’s memory may be made to Friends of Oswego County Hospice, PO Box 102, Oswego, 13126.
Foster Funeral Home, Inc.
www.fosterfuneralhome.com
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Judy and family,
You and the community lost a great man on Sunday.He groomed me, a fifteen year old skinny kid into a good softball player. Don had a heart of gold and despite his occasional rough exterior, he would go above and beyond for those in need. He affected the lives of hundreds of youths in Fulton and many times did so without looking for recognition.Now it is time to recognize him and I thank him on behalf of myself and all the others. He is in a better place now probably scouting all the talent in heaven.Take care and may God bless.
Bill Fisher
Dear Judy,
So sorry to hear of the passing of Cyrano. He was softball during the time I played in Fulton. He was a great coach and tremendous contributor to athletics in the city of Fulton. His love for Fulton sports and the kids took on a new life after his days of softball were over.I enjoyed playing on his teams and against his teams during those years.Softball was at its highest interest level when Cyrano was there.I enjoyed his friendship and he will be greatly missed by the Fulton sports community. May he rest in peace.
Dale Tombs
Dr Judy Rick So sorry about Don. We all will miss him but I know he will be watching g over all of us. All the youth sports in fulton lost a great supporter in losing Don He truly loved kids even though he came across as this rough and tough exterior he would do anything for any body in need. All my nieces knew him from watching there father’s and uncle playing in his league. He always had candy on the score table for the kids and some of them especially my niece kim would sit next to him and he would make believe they were helping him keep score. I played in dons leagues and I ref for Don in his league and he also let me be his ball boy back in the 60s when he coached the Vescio Allstars. Then later on I started my own men’s league but I did not want to hurt his leagues so I only did over 30 and over 40 so I would not interfere with his league but I tried to run my leagues like Don did except I could never do as good as he did. He would keep track of all the players points year after year and when some one reached 1000 points he would by a plaque and stop the game to give it to them he did all kinds of special things over the years to make his league fun to play in. He always backed his refs you did not have to worry about anything he always had your back. I could go on and on I just want you two know how well Don was thaught of in this community. We a icon in the fulton sports world. I’m just sorry that I did not get a chance to see him this summer, with my health and we lost our daughter to cancer so I didn’t get a chance to tell him how honored I was when he ask me to take over his basketball league two years ago because he just couldn’t do it any more. Well rest in peace good friend and hopefully we will all be together sometime. I know you are sitting up there with God and I only hope that someday I will be there with you.