Charles W. Smith

Charles W. Smith, 101, E. Main St., Brownville passed away Sunday evening, March 22, 2015, at his home.

As per his wishes there will be no services and arrangements are entrusted to Cummings Funeral Service, Inc., Watertown.

He was born in Watertown on June 20, 1913, son of Charles H. and Julia C. Lewin Smith. He attended school in Watertown and several trade schools over the years.

At a young age he joined the US Navy. He was honorably discharged as an Aviation Pilot 1st Class with the V T. Squadron One-B (USS Lexington. After serving in the Navy he received his civilian pilot license. And that came in handy when he was asked to pilot airplanes in several films in the 30's, working with several well-known stars of the time.

In 1935 he married M. Adah Swain and Mrs. Smith died in 2000.

Charles worked civilly on Ft. Drum for many years after his discharge from the Navy and with two of his brothers, he worked at several car dealerships in Watertown as a car mechanic. And after 43 years of service to Sears, he retired as their service repair manager.

He was a member of Immaculate Conception Church, Brownville, the American Legions in Dexter and Brownville, VFW, and DAV. With his wife, Adah, he enjoyed motorcycling, snowmobiling and traveling and they wintered in Florida for eighteen years. Charles enjoyed hunting, fishing, sewing, and reading. Anything mechanical was his passion - fixing anything for anyone and was affectionately called "gadget man".

Charles is survived by his six children, Richard W. Smith and companion, Doris Keech, Watertown, Sharon M. and Louie Seery, Black River, Walter L. and Sandra Smith, Smithville, Sue A. and Ralph Johnson, Dexter, Mary E. and Frank Chavez, Manteca, CA, and Harold C. and Peggy Smith, Brownville; 13 grandchildren, 29 great grandchildren, and 13 great great grandchildren; brother, Robert A. P. Smith, Sequim, WA; and several nieces and nephews. The family has a special thank you to his caregivers, Jean and Maynard Jantzi. Along with his wife, four brothers and one sister died before him.

In lieu of flowers, the family wishes any donations in his name to either Hospice of Jefferson County, 1398 Gotham St., Watertown, NY 13601 or Soldier & Family Assistance Center, Mt. Belvedere Blvd., Bldg. 11042, Ft. Drum, NY 13602 or online at http://webtrac.mwr.army.mil/donate/. Online condolences to his family may be made at www.cummingsfuneral.com

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