Obituary of Robert George Smith

Robert G. "Smitty" Smith GENEVA- Robert G. "Smitty" Smith (age 70), son of the late James & Doris (Fitton) Smith, passed away at home surrounded by his loving family on Thurs., (Nov. 16, 2017), after a brief illness. Family and friends may call from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sat. (Nov. 25), at the Palmisano-Mull Funeral home LLC, 28 Genesee St. Geneva. A funeral service will follow at 12:30 p.m. in the funeral home, followed by full military honors. Burial will be at the convenience of the family. Born in Waterloo in 1947, Bob was a 1965 graduate of Geneva High School. He enlisted in the US Army in 1966, where he was a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division, before joining the 864th Ordinance Det. After the service, Bob worked for Neil's Refrigeration in Lyons, and Ace Automatics in Geneva before going to work for the Geneva City School District in 1974. He then accepted a position with Wayne Finger Lakes BOCES as the Director of Facilities, where he retired in 2010. A long-time member of the Geneva American Legion Winnek Post #396, he marched with several iterations of the Geneva Appleknockers, and with the Doughboys Color Guard for many years. Bob was a voracious reader and very capable handyman, who could speak about a variety of subjects and fix nearly anything. One of his favorite hobbies was gardening, and he could always be found puttering around outside. He was active in the Boy Scouts when his kids were young, and his passion for music was a gift he passed on to his children and supported as they grew. Bob adored visiting with his grandchildren and attending all their games and school events. He was at his best when surrounded by his large family, and although he will be sorely missed, he will be lovingly honored and remembered. He is survived by his loving wife, Eva Lynne Smith; children Heather (Randy) McPherson of Henrietta, Robert Smith, Jr. of Geneva, Daniel (Sara Lawler) Smith of Nashville, TN, Shaun (Julie) Smith of Nashville, TN, Kelly Smith of Nashville, TN, and Ryan (Taylor Keedy) Smith of Nashville, TN; step-children Mark (Kim) Casasanta of Waterloo, David (Jen) Casasanta of Henrietta, and Andrea Casasanta of Geneva; his cherished grandchildren Michaela & Jacob McPherson and Shelby & Maggie Smith; siblings James (Helen) Smith of Phelps & Ellen Arndt of Seneca Falls, brother-in-law Joe Pietrosanti of Binghamton, sisters-in-law Shirley Smith of Geneva, Joanna (Tom) Donahue of Geneva and Kathy (Larry) Hartwell of Lyons, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his first wife, Patricia (Murphy) Smith, and siblings Doty Pietrosanti, Gertrude Sheets, Sally Handlan, Lewis Smith, and William Smith. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made in Bob's name to Thrive to Survive (PO Box 1146, Geneva, NY 14456), or the Wilmot Cancer Institute (donations will be designated for lung cancer research) Alumni and Advancement Center, 300 E. River Road, PO Box 278996, Rochester, NY 14627.