Born in Ludlowville on November 2, 1923, John graduated from Lansing High School and proudly served his country in the US Army during WWII. In 1948 he married Evelyn Argetsinger, and they enjoyed 59 years of marriage before her passing in 2007. He was employed at Cornell University and enjoyed working his farm for many years as well. In addition to farming and his family, John had a broad range of hobbies including wood carving, furniture making, mountain climbing, rappelling, cross country skiing, hot air ballooning and RV camping. A lifelong resident of the area, John was a member of All Saints Catholic Church, Flashing Feathers Bowhunters, Lansing Bowhunters and Cayuga Lake Beagle Club.

He is survived by four daughters and sons-in-law; Elaine and James Larison of Oregon, Patricia and Fred Howe of North Syracuse, Teresa and Michael Marcum of Utah and Alexis and Shane Eason of Georgia; a son, James Smith of Trumansburg; nine grandchildren and spouses John and Ellie Larison, Ted and Sarah Larison, Aaron and Susanne Howe, Monica and Todd Canterino, Lauren and Scott Cohen, Jessica Marcum, Alec Marcum, Zach Marcum, Tim Davis; four great granddaughters, Ava and Carmen Canterino and Navah and Naomi Larison. John also leaves his sisters, Anna Beckwith and Agnes Zavaski both of Lansing and Mary Polanski of Pennsylvania; and a large extended family.

In addition to his his wife, Evelyn, John was preceded in death by his parents, Alex and Anna (Zifchock) Smith; and brothers-in-law, George Beckwith, Ira Matejka and Phillip Argetsinger.

Those wishing to remember John in the form of a contribution are asked to kindly consider the Central NY Alzheimer's Association, 441 W. Kirkpatrick St., Syracuse, NY 13204 or the American Cancer Society, 13 Beech St., Johnson City, NY 13790.

Family will be present to receive friends on Thursday, April 16, 2009 from 6-9pm at Lansing Funeral Home, 32 Auburn Rd., Lansing, NY. A Mass of Christian Burial, officiated by Fr. Scott Kubinski, will be on Friday, April 17, 2009 at 10am at All Saints Catholic Church, 347 Ridge Rd., Lansing, NY. Burial, with Military Honors, will follow at Our Lady of the Lake Cemetery, King Ferry, NY.