Richard "Pop Pop" Smith, Sr.

Richard Smith Sr. of Kirkville, N.Y. passed away Monday, October 21, 2019 with his loving family by his side.

Richard was born in Syracuse, New York to Shirley (Gifford) and John A. Smith of Syracuse N.Y. on December 6, 1955. His family moved from the city and settled in Lakeport, N.Y. Richard attended Chittenango Schools, graduating in 1974. He joined the United States Marine Corps in 1976. In September of 1976, he married his childhood sweetheart, Judy (Recore). They honeymooned for two weeks in the Adirondacks.

Richard loved his family and was a devoted and loving husband, father and grandfather and good friend. He enjoyed traveling to the Adirondacks with his children and grandchildren and gardening with his wife was a special passion they both shared. He was an avid Nascar/Funny Car fan and followed Dale Earnhardt Sr. until his death. He was a huge fan of John Force and his daughter Courtney in the funny car world. Richard's main hobby was model building. He could build any model from a Rommels Rod to a P-61 Blackbird, to Weirdos. He pulled his grandsons into his love of model building and they would sit side by side for hours, learning from their "Pop Pop" how it was done. He shared this passion with his oldest son Rich who has had his own recent assemblies featured in Scale Auto Special Edition magazine. They traveled to many shows together, showing their work. Richard was an excellent artist. Many of his drawings were displayed at the Everson Museum of Art in Syracuse. He was a Minnesota Vikings fan and cheered his team on with extreme gusto. Richard was a past cub master and den leader of Chittenango Pack 22 Boy Scout Troup and at least two of his scouts earned their Eagle badge. Richard was very proud of his pack family.

Richard is survived by his wife Judy Smith; sons Richard II (partner Jessica Entwistle), and Daniel (partner Courtney Wilczak); three beautiful grandsons, Daniel Smith Jr., Cooper Smith, and Sawyer Smith who were the light of his life and their mother Bethany Osborne; brothers John (Deborah) Smith and David (Caren) Smith; granddaughter Lindsey Witchley; nephew John Smith Jr.; niece Sara Netoshytko; and many other nieces, nephews and cousins.

Per Richards wishes, he will be cremated. There will be calling hours on Monday, October 28, 2019 at Traub Funeral Home in Bridgeport, NY from 4-6. There will be a Memorial Service to follow at 6:00 pm. If you would like to make a contribution to a charity close to Richard's heart, please donate in his name to Golisano Children's Hospital, One Children's Cir. Syracuse, NY 13210.

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