Obituary of Marvin R.B. Smith

GREENVILLE - Marvin "Marv" R.B. Smith, 71, passed away on June 12, 2019 with his loving family at his bedside. He was born July 28, 1947, son of Dolores and the late Clayton Smith, in Catskill, New York. Marv graduated from Cairo Central School and then joined the Navy where he served on the aircraft carriers Constellation and Ranger as a jet mechanic. His missions required landing on Vietnamese soil and extensive air support of the ground troops. After serving for 4 years he was honorably discharged with the rank of E-5. Marv's love of planes stayed with him for the rest of his life. Marv married his high school sweetheart, Ralene, in 1969. In 1971 Marv began working for G.E. Plastics in Selkirk, NY His career at G.E. spanned 36 years, 22 of which were spent as a Production Coordinator until his retirement in 2007. Marv was very active in his community and spent many years on the board of Christ Episcopal Church. He was also a member of the American Legion Post 291, the Rensselaerville Historical Society, the Durham Republican Club, and a board member of the Durham Center Museum and trustee of Greenville Cemetery. Marv owned a winter home in Oro Valley, Arizona for 18 years, where he was a member of the water volleyball, wallyball, pop tennis, and genealogy clubs. Marv loved genealogy and spent 25+ years researching his and friends' family histories. He also loved hiking in the desert and the Santa Catalina Mountains. Marv was a pillar of support for those who needed it and a true friend to everyone who knew him. Marv is survived by his mother Dolores; brother Donald (Linda) Smith; son Wayne (Kelly Sweeney) Smith; daughter Michelle (Tony) Smith-Ferraro, and grandson Wyatt Beaumont; nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his beloved wife Ralene (nee Knott); his father, Clayton, Sr.; and his youngest brother Clayton, Jr. Calling hours will be Friday June 14th from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at A.J. Cunningham Funeral Home, 4898 State Route 81, Greenville, NY. The funeral will be Saturday, June 15th at 10 a.m. at the funeral home, followed by burial in the family plot in Greenville Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Scleroderma Foundation, 300 Rosewood Drive, Suite 105, Danvers, MA 01923 or the Durham Center Museum, PO Box 92, East Durham NY, 12423. Condolences can be posted at ajcunninghamfh.com