George Edward Smithers

Nobody loved flowers, dogs, and being outdoors more than George Smithers, who died unexpectedly on October 12—just two days after his 61st birthday. He had helped friends in Provincetown and Truro care for their homes, gardens, and pets for 20 years; his optimistic spirit, quick sense of humor, and gentle strength made it possible for all of those—homes, gardens, and pets, as well as their owners—to thrive. “What are we going to do without him?”, a frequent reaction to news of George’s death, was not just about “how will we get the work done?”; more important, it showed how much he meant to the people who were fortunate enough to have his ready smile, easy laugh, and generous heart in their lives. People depended on him; he never let them down.

George Edward Smithers was born October 10, 1963 in Ogdensburg, NY, the son of George Reese and Elizabeth Convoy (nee O’Donoghue) Smithers. He grew up there, attended Herkimer College, lived in Utica and Cooperstown, NY, and spent about 15 years in Florida before settling in Provincetown in 2004, where he met and later married his husband, Kevin H. Clayton. Kevin’s family warmly embraced George and celebrated their marriage; together, they became much-loved “dads” to Kevin’s son, Justin, and his wife, Janice—as well as happily devoted “granddads” to Justin and Janice’s son, Bradley. George also had friends up and down the east coast, from Cape Cod and New York to Key West; he considered them to be part of his “chosen” family.

George and Kevin shared a fierce affection for and were devoted to their dogs—especially Shar-Pei’s, three of which (first Kokoa, then Oliver, and, now, Jackson) brought great joy, and occasional excitement, to their lives. But many other Outer Cape canines, from Airedales to Havenese, flourished under George’s attention and relished the special biscuits he kept in his pockets. He had an almost magical ability to understand, communicate with, and motivate pooches.

George was happiest outdoors; he loved an open sky, a spectacular sunset, and the shorelines, beaches, and dunes of the Cape. He and Kevin traveled with and often lived in a motor home that kept him “on the ground.” Gardening was his passion; carefully tended plantings, elegant window boxes, beautiful flowers that seemed to last far beyond their official seasons, and gorgeous landscape designs were his signature.

George is survived by his husband, Kevin Clayton; their son and daughter-in-law, Justin and Janice Rintz; their grandson Bradley; his stepmother, Lorraine; his brothers Gregory, Mark, and Cory (Karen) Smithers; his nephew Kurtis and his nieces Taylor, and Kylie Smithers and his great nieces Genevieve, Adeline, and Brynn.

The Nickerson Funeral Home in Wellfleet is assisting the family, who will hold a celebration of George’s life at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the Carrie A. Seaman Animal Shelter (CASAS), a no-kill animal shelter designed to support the wonderful animals of lower Cape Cod.