Mr. Joseph Earl Smith

Mr. Smith was born in St. Mary’s, PA to Jesse LeRoy and Harriett Jean McLean Smith. Joe grew up in Niagara Falls, NY. As a child, he played basketball on the streets and was a football star at school. He enjoyed playing in the snow with his siblings and friends. In 1952, Joe accepted Jesus as his savior at the First Church of the Nazarene in Niagara Falls, NY. He also had a best friend Denny, who he maintained contact with until Denny passed away.

Joseph graduated from Newfane Central High School in 1959. He attended Nazarene College in Quincy, MA and then enlisted in the US Navy in December 1961. This started 49 years of service as a nuclear power operator and instructor. The first few years of service were on Navy submarines named ‘Sea Cat’ and ‘James K Polk’. He sailed a schooner some, spending time on the Pacific waters including Mexico. Later he worked at numerous nuclear power plants located in Maine, California, New Hampshire, North Carolina, and Wisconsin. He completed a degree in arts and also later on earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Mount Olive College, in Mount Olive, NC.

He enjoyed painting during his leisure time and loved to play a guitar that he received from his wife Sylvia on his 13th anniversary. He enjoyed both ocean coasts while sailing a catamaran, surf boarding, jogging, or windsurfing – often taking others along. For a short while, he learned Karate.

Among his several road vehicles, Joe’s favorites included two jeeps and two recreational vehicles. Rides in his beloved jeep were always an adventure full of joy and laughter, especially to his little grandsons. He was a family man who was very good at keeping up with birthdays, holidays, graduations, and marriage events. Joe built one house and one structure on Westport Island, in Maine, using wood he cut from his sawmill. He tended a garden on the island too. He also designed a house on Oak Island, NC. He made two experimental windmills, and in later years supported homeless persons by authoring several articles published in the Greensboro Voice.

His kids fondly remember the many things they did with him. While little, he taught them to drive, ski, snow sled, snowmobile, play school sports, swim, and ride a go-cart. In Maine, he also made a tree house and small enclosed school bus stop for cold winter days. He took his kids camping in Meredith, NH, and later to theme parks, arcades, and more.

Joe’s positive spirit, caring, and love touched the lives of everyone who met him. He loved God and his family each and every day. In 2012, Joe developed part of a family tree on the internet at ancestry.com that goes back in time to include 230 people with 10 photos, 1 story, and 26 historical records.

Surviving Joseph are his children, Gregory Smith of Lancaster, CA, Mathew Smith (wife Faith) of Oshkosh, WI and Aimee Walker (husband Levi) of Greensboro, NC as well as their mother Sylvia Coffin; grandsons, Maxwell Smith; Aaron Walker; Arik Smith, and Mason Smith; his mother, Harriet Smith of Lockport, NY; siblings, Elizabeth (Betty) Kolter (husband James) of Fairfield, IA, Peggy Spaner (husband Robert) of Marana, AZ, Charles Smith (wife Lucy) of Dunedin, FL, Robert Smith (wife Tammy) of Clearwater, FL, James Smith of Yonkers, NY and Jesse Smith Jr. of Lockport, NY, and numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his father.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions made to the Salvation Army, 821 S. Aycock St, Greensboro, NC 27403. Online condolences may be made at www.haneslineberryfuneralhomes.com.