Clarence E. Smith

Clarence E. Smith, 79, of Medina, NY, fulfilled life on Sunday, November 8, 2026 following a challenging illness that he fought courageously and with fortitude for 6 years.

Born January 21, 1947 in Medina, he was a son of the late Hilda D. (Taylor) Smith and Joseph Smith. Clarence married his high school sweetheart, Marlene Kelly. The couple resided in Medina their entire lives and raised two sons, Eric and Marc.

Clarence was a man of many talents of which he was able to share with family, friends and employers. He was a class A carpenter and talented mechanic. Clarence’s sons remain extremely grateful for the hard work ethic, talents and skills they learned from their dad.

After years of working for Eastman Kodak, John Kelly offered Clarence a job at Dewitt Concrete, marking the beginning of a new career.

Clarence then worked for Lancaster Stone as Superintendent. Clarence was contacted by Tom Carter to develop a new stone quarry in Shelby. Clarence took the opportunity, with his wealth of experience and knowledge went on to design the entire site now known as Shelby Crushed Stone. In 1988, after receiving a call from Jim Keeler, Clarence began his final journey in quarry operations as the Superintendent of Barre Stone Products, working there until his retirement this April.

Clarence’s supervision as the head of many stone quarries made him a Supervisor Extraordinaire. He was often contacted by operators of other quarries to solve a problem for them, which he did without hesitation.

One of Clarence’s greatest joys was restoring his1967 Chevrolet Nova. Clarence and Marc spent many hours searching through junkyards for parts. Clarence also enjoyed attending car shows and drag races around the country with his grandson, Cooper and Marc. The July fourth fireworks in Lyndonville were a special event that Clarence shared annually with his granddaughter, Abigail.

As a youngster on the school bus, Clarence passed a homestead on Culvert Road and dreamed of it someday being his home. When this home came up for sale, Clarence and Marlene worked diligently for months to make it the home of their dreams. One of the special features of the home is a sandstone shamrock designed by Clarence complimenting their flower garden.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by sisters-in-law Kathleen Kelly and brother-in-law, Robert Dinse.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Marlene Smith; sons, Eric Smith and Marc Smith; granddaughter, Abigail Smith (Tim Elliott); grandson, Cooper Smith; sister, Marlene Dinse and her family; brother-in-law, Michael Kelly and his family; and several close Kelly family relatives, including Jill Kelly, Julie Kuhn, Jason Bessell, Kim, Tim and Pati Fearby and their families; special friends, Mary and Paul Woodruff; and a multitude of dear friends.

Calling hours will be held on Sunday, Nov. 15 from 1:00 – 4:00 PM at Cooper Funeral Home, 215 W. Center St., Medina. A celebration of life gathering will follow at the Junior Wilson Sportsman’s Club, 3875 Bates Rd., Medina.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice of Orleans at www.hospiceoforleans.org or to the Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Co., P.O. Box 816, Medina, NY 14103.