Obituary of Harry A. Smithers

GOUVERNEUR – Harry Almond Smithers, age 91, of Gouverneur, went to be with the Lord Thursday, October 23, 2014 at the Lewis County General Hospital. Calling hours will be at French Funeral Home, Gouverneur on Sunday, October 26th from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. and 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. His funeral service will be on Monday, October 27th at 11:00 a.m. with Pastors Howard Maxson and Bob King officiating. Burial will follow in the Fairview Cemetery, Edwards. Condolences may be made online at www.frenchfuneralhomes.com. Harry was born December 6, 1922 in Ogdensburg to the late Almond and Martha (Holmes) Smithers. He graduated from Ogdensburg High School in 1940. He attended Murray State College in Kentucky as an accounting major. Mr. Smithers married Agnes Irene Bullock June 16, 1945. The couple owned and operated Cutleaf Maple dairy farm on Black Lake for 12 years, moved throughout the Northeast while working for the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company on various construction projects, before opening Smithers Tire Service, Gouverneur, in 1962, which they owned and operated until retirement. They had also owned and operated Star Lake Auto Sales. Harry was a very successful business man. Harry was very devoted to his family. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge, and the Elks and Rotary clubs. He was in the Full Gospel Businessmen's Association. Harry was past President of the Heuvelton Grange and a representative for the Milk Producers Association. He was also a member of the Fowler Baptist Church. Harry enjoyed being outdoors, whether it was hunting, fishing, gardening or just sitting outside. He loved country music and square dancing, which is where he met his wife. The couple also hosted foreign exchange students over the years. Harry loved traveling and said he met a lot of interesting people along the way and that there were a lot of sights to see. He was a very positive person and always had a positive outlook towards life. His survivors include his three sons and daughters-in-law, Harry and Julie Smithers of Gouverneur, Hubert and Virginia Smithers of Portland, OR, Roger and Diana Smithers of Gouverneur; two daughters and sons-in-law, Elaine and Thomas Stalder of Forestport, Lorraine and Vernon Gordon of Middleburg; and a sister, Eleanor Blackburn of Buffalo. He is also survived by 14 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren along with his many In-laws, who were a very important part of his life and many nieces and nephews. Mr. Smithers is predeceased by his wife of 67 years, Agnes, and a sister, Muriel LeBoeuf. Donations in memory of Harry may go to Fowler Baptist Church or to the Lewis County General Nursing Home.