Benjamin R. Smith Sr.

AUBURN < Benjamin R. Smith Sr., 78, of 34 N. Division St., Auburn, died Sunday, Oct. 26, 2008, at Auburn Memorial Hospital. Mr. Smith was born in New Jersey, the son of Benjamin R. Sr. and Helen Yates Smith, and was an Air Force veteran. He had worked at ALCO, Singer Corp. and as a cook at Close & Brady in Auburn for years prior to working at the Carrier Corp. in Syracuse. He had retired in 1993. He is survived by nine children, Roger Smith, of New Jersey, Cindy (Jerry) Anderson, of Waterloo, Rick R. Smith Sr., of Auburn, Roxanne (Denny) Carte, of Charleston, W.Va., and Benny R. Smith III, Dale S. (Laurie) Smith, Kevin L. (Sara) Smith, Donald T. (Jessica), and Shancee (Brian) Hart, all of Auburn; 18 grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; one stepgrandson; four sisters, Anna, Mary, Betty Lou and Doris. Along with his parents, he was predeceased by two sons, Michael Smith in 1954, and Scott E. Smith in 1978; a brother, Carlton; and a sister, Mabel. Services will be private, held at the convenience of the family. Memorial contributions may be made to Syracuse VA Medical Center, 800 Irving Ave., Syracuse, NY 13201, in memory of Mr. Smith. Arrangements by Farrell"s Funeral Service Inc., 48 South St., Auburn. To send a message to the family, sign our guest book at www.auburnpub.com and click on obituaries.