David Smith

David M. Smith, age 76 of Erie, passed away peacefully while surrounded by immediate family and best friends Sam and Marlene Talarico, at UPMC Hamot on Tuesday, February 21st, 2017, following a long medical battle.

He was born October 11th , 1940 in Westfield, NY, a son of the late Milton and Jean (Stanford) Smith.

David graduated from Sherman High School, and completed classes in Technical Education Operation, while working as foreman and planner at General Electric Company in Building 7. He retired from G.E. in 1987 after more than 30 years of service.

David’s passion was golf. He enjoyed playing on a league, and ran a small business known as “Smitty’s Custom Clubs”, where he repaired and made golf clubs.

David was an amazing provider, extremely loyal to those he loved, and always made you smile when needed the most.

Survivors include his wife of 59 years, Mary Ann (DuFosse) Smith, his children D. Christopher Smith, Heidi L. LaCross, Heather R. Smith (Thomas Gabrielski), his granddaughter whom he raised as his own, Kristin A. LaCross, his beloved Labrador Retriever Peppermint (Pepper), whom he jokingly referred to as “his only friend”, his brothers Ted Smith, Marty (Ginny) Smith, and Randy Smith, as well as a slew of beloved friends and family.

He will be dearly missed by all who knew him.

Services will be private. A memorial gathering will occur this summer with details to follow.

Arrangements entrusted to Burton Wintergreen Funeral Home, 2532 Norcross Road, Erie, PA 16510.

Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, 2115 West 38th Street, Erie PA 16508, or the National Organization for Rare Diseases, 55 Kenosia Ave., Danbury CT 06810.