Obituary for Grant W. Smith Jr.
MENANDS - Grant Winfield Smith Jr., 79, passed away peacefully on Thursday, June 30, 2022, surrounded by family at his home in Menands.
Known as Chief to his fellow firefighters, “Fish Commish” to his Florida friends and Pop to his grandchildren, Grant, a proud lifelong resident of Menands, was a kind patriarch figure to many, devoted husband, loving father, adoring grandfather and loyal friend who maintained relationships that lasted decades.
Grant was born on March 26, 1943, in the Village of Menands to Grant W. Smith Sr. and Audrey Brooks Smith. Determined to serve the community he treasured, at 18 years old Grant joined the Menands Fire Co. #1 as a volunteer firefighter. As a lifelong member, the firehouse was his second home. There he learned to lead with authority and empathy and how to balance hard work and fun – often planning village wide parties. He served as Fire Chief and President, was the Fire Coordinator for the Town of Colonie, a member and president of Menands Rotary and a founding member of Riverside Volunteer Ambulance Squad.
In addition, Grant was co-owner of Village Transportation Bus Company and retired from his position as Superintendent of Water for the Village of Menands in 2001. He reinvented himself as a school bus driver for Folmsbee Transportation, a job he cherished, and retired again in 2018. For 14 years, Grant and Mary Lou – his other half and wife of 57 years – vacationed in Islamorada, Florida, during the winters. They lived the island life planning tiki parties, deep sea fishing in the morning and catching up with friends at Lazy Days at night.
Grant, who was never shy about sharing his opinion, always had words of wisdom on the tip of his tongue -- “If you want to get a job have nice shoes”, “More horseradish” and the simple, yet foreboding, “Now look it.” But the one thing that the gruff Teddy Bear made sure everyone in his life knew was how much he loved them.
The highlight of Grant’s day was cocktail hour. He would don a fishing shirt and sip on a glass of “olive soup” -- vodka (the cheap stuff) and olives hand-stuffed with blue cheese (the good stuff). On the front porch of his home, Grant would toast each day with Mary Lou at the 6 o’clock siren. They were often joined by visitors, always greeting them with a kiss and open seat.
And while Grant accomplished much in life, the thing he was most proud of was his family. He is survived by his wife Mary Lou McCauley Smith, whose unconditional love, care and patience sustained him; children Gabriella "Gabe" Murphy (married to John Murphy), Grant W. “Chip” Smith III (soon to be married to Corinne Ellis); grandchildren Casey Thompson, Alyssa Cavosie, Brendan Murphy, Michael Murphy and Abigail Smith; brothers George W. Smith (married to Geri Smith) and predeceased by Earl S. Smith (married to the late Kathy Smith); predeceased by daughter-in-law Alison Cunningham Smith; many nieces and nephews and countless friends. The testament of Grant’s kind, selfless and truehearted character is evident in the people who love him.
Per Grant’s wishes there will be no calling hours. Relatives and friends are invited to attend his funeral mass on Tuesday at 9:00 am at St. Joan of Arc Church, 76 Menand Road, Menands.
In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to the Derek Murphy Fund, 4 S. Colonial Heights, Troy, NY 12180.
Condolence book at ParkerBrosMemorial.com.
Known as Chief to his fellow firefighters, “Fish Commish” to his Florida friends and Pop to his grandchildren, Grant, a proud lifelong resident of Menands, was a kind patriarch figure to many, devoted husband, loving father, adoring grandfather and loyal friend who maintained relationships that lasted decades.
Grant was born on March 26, 1943, in the Village of Menands to Grant W. Smith Sr. and Audrey Brooks Smith. Determined to serve the community he treasured, at 18 years old Grant joined the Menands Fire Co. #1 as a volunteer firefighter. As a lifelong member, the firehouse was his second home. There he learned to lead with authority and empathy and how to balance hard work and fun – often planning village wide parties. He served as Fire Chief and President, was the Fire Coordinator for the Town of Colonie, a member and president of Menands Rotary and a founding member of Riverside Volunteer Ambulance Squad.
In addition, Grant was co-owner of Village Transportation Bus Company and retired from his position as Superintendent of Water for the Village of Menands in 2001. He reinvented himself as a school bus driver for Folmsbee Transportation, a job he cherished, and retired again in 2018. For 14 years, Grant and Mary Lou – his other half and wife of 57 years – vacationed in Islamorada, Florida, during the winters. They lived the island life planning tiki parties, deep sea fishing in the morning and catching up with friends at Lazy Days at night.
Grant, who was never shy about sharing his opinion, always had words of wisdom on the tip of his tongue -- “If you want to get a job have nice shoes”, “More horseradish” and the simple, yet foreboding, “Now look it.” But the one thing that the gruff Teddy Bear made sure everyone in his life knew was how much he loved them.
The highlight of Grant’s day was cocktail hour. He would don a fishing shirt and sip on a glass of “olive soup” -- vodka (the cheap stuff) and olives hand-stuffed with blue cheese (the good stuff). On the front porch of his home, Grant would toast each day with Mary Lou at the 6 o’clock siren. They were often joined by visitors, always greeting them with a kiss and open seat.
And while Grant accomplished much in life, the thing he was most proud of was his family. He is survived by his wife Mary Lou McCauley Smith, whose unconditional love, care and patience sustained him; children Gabriella "Gabe" Murphy (married to John Murphy), Grant W. “Chip” Smith III (soon to be married to Corinne Ellis); grandchildren Casey Thompson, Alyssa Cavosie, Brendan Murphy, Michael Murphy and Abigail Smith; brothers George W. Smith (married to Geri Smith) and predeceased by Earl S. Smith (married to the late Kathy Smith); predeceased by daughter-in-law Alison Cunningham Smith; many nieces and nephews and countless friends. The testament of Grant’s kind, selfless and truehearted character is evident in the people who love him.
Per Grant’s wishes there will be no calling hours. Relatives and friends are invited to attend his funeral mass on Tuesday at 9:00 am at St. Joan of Arc Church, 76 Menand Road, Menands.
In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to the Derek Murphy Fund, 4 S. Colonial Heights, Troy, NY 12180.
Condolence book at ParkerBrosMemorial.com.