H. Smith

DELMAR - H. Neil Smith, 87, a longtime resident of Delmar and recently of Evergreen Commons passed away peacefully Friday, March 30. Neil and his wife Margaret, who predeceased him had been members of Delmar Reformed Church. Neil was born November 24, 1924 in Crewe, England and was raised by his parents, Percy Smith and Bertha Bebbington Smith, and his aunt, Jessie Bebbington. At 17, he joined the Royal Navy and served on Motor Torpedo Boats during WW2. A veteran at 21, after the war Neil worked for Rolls Royce and Kelvinator in Crewe. He then emigrated at age 25 to Toronto where he met Margaret. In 1967, a job transfer with Equifax brought the family to Delmar. Neil was the General Manager of the Equifax Albany office, supervising sub offices throughout the state of New York. He was an avid gardener, active in the Bethlehem Sportsmen's Club, and served as Treasurer of Delmar Reformed Church for over two decades. In retirement, Neil was president of the Second Milers Club and became an Elder in his church, providing pastoral care and soup kitchen detail. He did not golf, but was known to give away egg cartons full of golf balls that went wide of the Normanside links and on to his lawn by the course. Neil is remembered for a quiet generosity, an attention to detail and for a gentle English accent that stayed with him over the years. Neil leaves his son, Keith & his wife Melinda, of Oriental, NC; a grandson, Chris French & his wife Paula, of London, Ontario; two great-grandsons, Justin and Nathan French; & many nieces and nephews in Canada and England. His wife, Margaret; daughter, Jean French & granddaughter Karin French predeceased him. In England his sisters Agnes and May, and brother George predeceased him. The family invites Neil's friends to attend a celebration of his life on Saturday, April 7 at noon at Delmar Reformed Church. Pastor Dave Corlett will officiate. Reception follows immediately at the church. Burial will take place later that day at Bethlehem Cemetery, Delmar. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to the Delmar Reformed Church Endowment Fund, 386 Delaware Avenue, Delmar, NY, 12054. For more about the life of H. Neil Smith visit the web site quiettide.com/dad