IN MEMORIAM (Full Obituary)
Edward C. Smith, 78;
Smith Ford President
COOPERSTOWN – Edward C. Smith, owner the Smith-Cooperstown Ford dealership, died Saturday evening, Jan. 21, 2017, at Bassett Hospital. He was 78.
A Native Son of Cooperstown, Ed was born March 23, 1938, at Bassett, a son of Evelyn Amelia Wheeler of Cooperstown and Harry William Smith of Minneapolis, Minn.
After graduating from Manlius Military Academy, Ed attended Palm Beach Junior College and later graduated from the University of Miami with a bachelor’s degree in business administration.
For many years he served as Smith-Cooperstown president and owner.
He was also a strong supporter of the many public and private institutions, organizations and businesses in the area, and was always willing to offer advice and assistance where needed.
A colleague and friend has stated: “Ed was both a gentleman and a gentle man.” He influenced and touched many people’s hearts and lives and will always be remembered.
Ed is survived by his long-time partner and companion, Norma Onyan of Cooperstown; Norma’s children that Ed considered his own, Louise Wayman of Toddsville, Gregory Onyan of Fly Creek and Terry Onyan and his wife, Wendy, of Fly Creek; one sister, Rose Belle Smith Broeffle of Vero Beach, Fla.; one brother, James D. Smith and his wife, Mary Jane, of North Hutchinson Island, Fla., and Norwich; one sister-in-law, Patricia Manley Smith of Norwich and Cooperstown; and numerous nieces and nephews as well as his extended family at Smith-Cooperstown and a multitude of friends and acquaintances.
He was predeceased by one sister, Shirley S. McCabe; two brothers, Robert Frederick Smith and Harry William (Bill) Smith; and his brother-in-law, William Broeffle.
A memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Monday, Jan. 30, in the Louis C. Jones Center at The Farmers’ Museum, 5775 State Highway 80,Cooperstown, with the Rev. Betsy Jay, Bassett chaplain, officiating.
Ed will be laid to rest later this spring in Lakewood Cemetery.
Memorial donations may be made to: Friends of Bassett, 1 Atwell Road, Cooperstown, NY 13326; Cooperstown Fire Department, P.O. Box 1, Cooperstown, NY 13326; Cooperstown Emergency Squad, P.O. Box 322, Cooperstown, NY 13326; or Susquehanna Animal Shelter, 4841 State Highway 28, Cooperstown, NY 13326.
Arrangements are entrusted to Martin H. Tillapaugh and Peter A. Deysenroth.
Ed Smith was an anchor of our community. As we lose those like Ed, it seems that their footprints for those who have known them for decades must be forever imprinted on our sidewalks of fame. His brother Bill, Ted Trosset, Jose Gill, Don Reed and so many other not known today in our community are the shoulders upon which we stand. Let’s keep the ship sailing.
Ed was a true gentleman & it was a pleasure to know him in Business & personally . R.I.P.