Charles Brayton Smith

Born October 9, 1932 to Lynn and Bernice (Nutting) Smith in Bliss, NY. He grew up on the family farm, with a childhood he described as idyllic – surrounded by beloved family, friends, and animals. In high school he played French horn, learned to play piano by ear and engaged in multiple sports.

At age 18, he started working for Eastman Kodak in Rochester. A few months later, he was drafted to serve in the Korean War, where he served as a chaplain’s assistant, driving chaplains to visit the wounded. While serving in Korea, Charlie converted to the Roman Catholic Church. He was discharged in 1954 after earning several medals. 

Returning home, Charlie earned a certificate in photography from the Rochester Institute of Technology and returned to Eastman Kodak where he worked until his retirement in 1985. In 1962, Charlie married F. Joanne (Hewitt).

Charlie was a hobbyist whose interests included music, painting, hunting, camping, fishing, gardening, and collecting. He also enjoyed making jewelry from stones he found, and especially from stones found by family and friends.

Charlie died on June 17 2024. Aside from his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister Onolee, sister Norma (Smith) Rissinger, brother-in-law Warren Rissinger, brother Julius Smith, and sister-in-law Evelyn (Kingsley) Smith. 

He is survived by his four children: Wade (Cari) Smith of Warsaw, Tom (Michele) Smith of Shortsville, Laurie (Jeff) Grant of Brighton, and Lisa Blackstock of Olathe, KS; his four grandchildren Julie (David) Honn, Brad Blackstock, Brandon (Morgan) Smith and Morganne Smith; his five great-grandchildren Christopher, Jocelyn and Alexis Honn, and Peyton and Carson Smith; nephew Joel (Karen) Rissinger and niece Julie (Rissinger) Wirth as well as several cousins, step-grandchildren, step-great-grandchildren; great-nieces, great-nephews, great-great-nieces, and great-great-nephews.

To quote his cousin, Charlie will be remembered for “his sincere interest in each of us individually, and one always left a conversation with Charlie with a smile on his face.” Charlie leaves a legacy of intense love and loyalty to family, a big soft spot for animals (especially dogs and turtles) a strong and devout faith, and an appreciation for a good sense of humor.

Friends may call on Friday June 21, 2024 from 1-3 and 6-8 PM at Robinson and Hackemer Funeral Home, 246 N. Main St., Warsaw. A Catholic vigil service will be held for Charles at 5:30 PM. His funeral mass will be held on Saturday, June 22, 2024 at St. Michael’s Roman Catholic Church at 10 AM. Burial with military honors will be made at Wethersfield Cemetery on Rt. 78 in Bliss at 2 PM.

Flowers are gratefully accepted, but in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Eastern Rural Roman Catholic Church, 6 North St., Warsaw, NY 14569; Wethersfield Cemetery; Wyoming County SPCA, P.O Box 269, Attica, NY 14011; or Wyoming County Joint Veteran’s Council, 36 Center St., Suite B2, Warsaw, NY 14569.