Daily News, The (Batavia, NY) - February 23, 2005

Deceased Name: Edward F. Smith

ALBION -- Edward F. Smith, 75, of West State Street, a Latin and English teacher and active member of St. Joseph's Church, where he was archivist, reader, soloist, member of the choir and who co-chaired the church's historical book, died Monday (Feb. 21, 2005).

Mr. Smith was born May 19, 1929, in Erie, Pa., a son of the late A. Walter and Pauline Liddell Smith. He lived in this area for 49 years. He was a graduate of St. Joseph's Collegiate High School in Buffalo and Canisius College, earning a bachelor's and master's degree. He was a member of St. Joan of Arc Assembly 3rd and 4th-degree Knights of Columbus, where he served as scribe.

Mr. Smith was the fourth national finalist in the National Oratorical Contest sponsored by American Legion and also helped recent contestants. He taught in Albion, Clymer and for 20 years, in Newfane, where he retired in 1984. That year, he gave the commencement address and was recognized by Stanford University as an influential teacher, having been nominated by students at Newfane.

He worked for Albion's water treatment plant in the summers, served as an election inspector, Latin tutor, interpreter at Genesee Country Museum and was a member of the state Latin Regents Board.

Mr. Smith also was a member of Historical Preservation Committee in Albion and in his spare time translated lyrics of Vivaldi for Ars Nova Musicians' Chamber Orchestra in Buffalo.

Survivors include his wife of 52 years, Jean Smith; three daughters, Deborah (Col. Daniel) Bolas of Japan, Stephanie (David) Geibel of Forest, Va., and Kathleen (Gary) Spitz of Chapel Hill, N.C.; two sisters, Mary (John) Clouse of Moncure, N.C., and Dr. Dorothy Smith of Buffalo; seven grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; one aunt; three nephews; and cousins.

Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at Christopher Mitchell Funeral Home, 21 West Ave. A Mass of Christian burial will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Joseph's Church. Burial will be in St. Joseph's Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Joseph's Pipe Organ Fund.

Daily News, The (Batavia, NY)
Date: February 23, 2005
Copyright, 2005, Johnson Newspaper Corporation