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BORN
1943
DIED
2023
FUNERAL HOME
Lum SMITH Obituary
(1943 - 2023) - Retired Buffalo Public Schools' administrator and local historian, departed this life Sat., Jan. 28, 2023. He leaves behind a son, Travis (Noeleen) Smith; 5 grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren, and a host of family, friends, and colleagues. Public visitation will be Fri., Feb. 10, 2023, from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at the Alan R. Core Funeral Home, 1933 Kensington Ave., Buffalo, and Sat., from 10:00 - 11:00 a.m., followed by an 11:00 a.m. "Celebration of Life" service at Zion Dominion Global Ministries, 895 North Forest Rd., Amherst, NY.
Memories and Condolences
for Lum SMITH
Lisa (Smith) Burns
February 5, 2026
Miss you Unc! You, your Sister, and your Brother (my dad) are together again. As sad as it is, it puts a smile on my face. Love and miss you!!
Jana
February 4, 2026
Granddad we miss you
Jana
February 14, 2025
Hey granddad we miss you and love you happy Valentine´s Day
Jana
December 18, 2024
Granddad missing you so much
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Jacob A. Gayle (Jr. ), Ph.D.
September 21, 2023
Mr Smith was my fifth grade teacher at PS 74. But he remained my mentor and big brother to the very end. He inspired me to excel in sports, although I was a bookworm. He said there was no reason I couldn´t be a scholar AND athlete. I saw him through his life journeys as much as he did me and mine. Turned out, he and my first cousin, James Edward Kennedy, were best friends. Mr. Smith knew my dad but didn´t realize James Edward was a Gayle by virtue of his mom/my aunt. I can´t tell you how much he meant to my life, but I have led a blessed life and I thank him for all he contributed in the process.
Karolina Roman-Qureshi
March 31, 2023
Lum was a dear friend and colleague of my for almost 30 years. I am deeply saddened to hear of his passing. He touched the lives of everyone around. Lum will be sadly missed . My condolences to his family.
Angela Workman
March 24, 2023
I just heard about Mr. Smith. He was my teacher @ school 74 back in the 60's, I think. It was decades ago. Fantastic and caring teacher.
DONNA MASSANTI
March 17, 2023
Our thoughts and prayers are with Lum's family and friends. He always had a story or historical fact to share. Lum was one of our favorite patients. He will be missed. Best regards, Dr. Michael Szalach and Donna
Jana
February 16, 2023
Grandad I'll forever love you always and forever jana
Greg Burke
February 14, 2023
Condolences to Travis and the Smith family.
Ursula Davis
February 13, 2023
Travis and Family, it was an honor and privilege to be Mr. Lum's neighbor. I am so sorry for your loss. Lum was such a gentleman and a scholar! I pray for you all.
Harold Walker
February 12, 2023
My condolences to the Lum Smith family. He and I went back to the 1950s at East High School. Rest in peace.
Rev. Dr. Gerald H. (Colleen) & Family
February 11, 2023
Lum was a treasured friend who was not only a true brother but a renowned and exemplary local historian of the AfricanAmerican community in Buffalo. Lum´s knowledge of the prowess of many Black athletes in the Cold Springs and Downtown communities, e.g., Charles "Buster" Daniels, Harvey and Sam Austin, Jim Horne, Gene Marrow, any many others, was exemplary and extensive. He would often share his extensive newspaper archives and historical journals. Lum was a gentleman and a scholar who cherished opportunities to reminisce with his friends regarding the good `ole´ days at the Chapel, the Michigan YMCA, the Little Harlem, the Hickory Street Center, the Apollo Theater, etc.
I extend heart-felt condolences and sympathy to the bereaved family during this hour of bereavement. "Parting is such sweet sorrow." With kind regards Rev. Dr. Gerald (Colleen) H. Hesson & Family
Andrea P Howard
February 11, 2023
A great mentor, friend, counselor and person, Lum was all this and more. He was a positive leader to the youth in the Fruitbelt at Buffalo Ferderation of Neighborhood Centers, formerly Neighborhood House Association. Lum was a book of knowledge always open to other views from every age. He often said after fishing and talking with my late father "some books are from age more than pages and I enjoy both". Rest easy old friend, job well done
Maggie
February 10, 2023
I am so sorry for your loss. Mr. Smith was such a great person! He was always cheerful & friendly. He put a smile on my face so many times. I was so thankful to know him.
He always told me to open my trunk wherever I volunteered at Houghton Academy. I truly loved knowing him.
I pray loving memories help you through the difficult times ahead.
Sincerely,
Maggie McCarville
McCarville
February 10, 2023
Mr. Smith was the nicest sub principal. Always happy, and carefree. Also full of so much knowledge of history. My finest memories of him was every time I saw him at Houghton Academy. Always friendly, he used to tell me to open my trunk whenever I was volunteering there! He will be missed by all of us. May loving memories help you through the difficult times ahead. Thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends. I truly appreciated getting to know him!
Lisa Burns
February 10, 2023
My Uncle will be dearly missed. Please keep our family in prayer.
Robert C Penn, Sr
February 10, 2023
To the family of Lum Smith. Please accept my sincere condolences on the loss of your loved one. Lum and I were classmates at East High School and remained lifelong friends. Lum's stellar performance as an athlete, educator, and historian are a credit to the time he spent with us. May his memory be a blessing. Bob Penn.
Showing 1 - 18 of 18 results
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Memorial Events
for Lum SMITH
Feb
10
Visitation
6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Alan R. Core Funeral Home, Inc.1933 Kensington Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14215
Funeral services provided by:
Alan R. Core Funeral Home, Inc.1933 Kensington Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14215
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