George Arthur Smith
A Celebration of George’s life will begin at 1 PM on Saturday, June 13, 2026, at the W. E. Baird & Sons Funeral Home, 300 W. Naples St., Wayland, NY 14572. All are invited to attend.
George Arthur Smith passed away peacefully at his home at the age of 80 on February 14, 2026, after a long illness. He was with loved ones during his final hours.
George was born on February 10, 1946, in Winsted, CT, to Reverend Raymond and Una Smith. He moved around Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and New York, living in many small towns, and graduated top of his class in 1964 from Kings Ferry High School. He attended Syracuse University, graduating in 1968, and began his next phase of life, starting a family in the Finger Lakes region. He continued his education at Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School and earned a Master of Arts in Theological Studies in 1979.
His life took him on a journey of embracing change in locations and career. Most of his career was spent serving others and the community through teaching, ministry, chaplaincy, addiction counseling, and other roles. He also enjoyed being in new locations and getting to know new people, which led him to live all over New York State, Philadelphia, and the Outer Banks of North Carolina. George was a great conversationalist and lover of life; you could see this at potluck dinners when he would fill his plate to the brim with as much food as possible. While eating, conversations would begin, and he always loved learning more and helping people share their inner wisdom. During services, he would sing with such vigor that everyone else couldn’t help but join in. When at home, George would inevitably have a garden as big as the property allowed. He believed in organic, natural gardening and taking good care of the earth to have delicious vegetables. Towards the end of his career and in the run-up to retirement, George lived in Wayland, where he met Sharon Ann Saker, and the two married in 2012. George then happily settled down with Sharon in Prattsburgh, NY.
As he moved into retirement, George refocused on making art and had many abstract paintings and digital art creations throughout his home. He spent many of his last 15 years very active in the Hornell Alfred Unitarian Universalist Society, serving as President of the fellowship and providing many programs. In his last few years, George was fighting Parkinson's Disease and then cancer. Besides spending his time with family and friends, gardening, and art, George made many new friends through his Rock Steady Boxing Class at the Hornell Y and the Hornell Area Parkinson's Support Group. Bringing joy, beauty, and inner growth were his hallmarks, and he always radiated a sense of community.
George Smith is predeceased by his mother and father, Reverend Raymond and Una Smith, and his second wife, Joanne Gergela Smith. He is survived by his wife Sharon Saker, brother W. James (and Nancy) Smith, and sister Una (and Harrold) Tones; his children Kelly Smith, Martin (and Christy) Smith, and Bethany (and Shawn) Angel; his grandchildren, Zachary Fath, Logan Angel, and Orion Smith; his great-grandchild Ethan Fath; and his bonus family of Colin and Crystal Crook, James, Sarah, and Sammy Crook, Audrey Powell, and Weston Powell. A lifelong animal lover, George is also survived by his dog Bella and cats Justice, Daisy, and Casey.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to CareFirstNY (Hospice), Hornell Y/Rock Steady Boxing, or Hornell Alfred Unitarian Universalist Society.