Bruce C. Smyk

Bruce C. Smyk, passed away, kicking and screaming, on September 29th, at age 74. If you're reading this, you're probably pretty bummed. Bruce was predeceased by his parents, NYS Supreme Court Justice Stephen Smyk and Lillian (Lee) Smyk, and his brother, Stephen D. Smyk. Bruce is survived by his loving wife of more than 53 years, Lorraine, and their 3 children and their spouses, Rachel Smyk-Newton (Craig), Adam Smyk (Sonya) and Leah Chapman (Bill). He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Debbie Smyk, brother-in-law, Ronald J. Ankner, nephew, Stephen P. Smyk and niece, Rebecca Balchikonis, numerous cousins and his grandchildren, Luke, Lily, Danny, James and Andrew.
Bruce was born in Johnson City and raised in Binghamton, NY. He graduated from Binghamton Central HS, where he co-held, with his teammates, a sectional swim record in men's freestyle-style relay. The record lasted for almost 20 hours. Bruce also was on the golf team which tied for first in the regional finals after being win-less for the season. He matriculated at Syracuse University, where he learned big words like that. Bruce attended both Syracuse U. and the Syracuse School of Law, where he received B.A. and J.D. degrees, respectively.
Before he was 20, Bruce had worked delivering mail at Harpur College, shoveled concrete to help build Rte. 17, life-guarded the Rte. 17 bridge (without a loss) behind the Pig Stand, traveled to Europe twice (where he dated Lorraine in Paris) and Africa, bar-tended, was a bouncer, baseball player and a greens-keeper. While in Paris, Bruce and Lorraine had an unexpected and very exciting ride in the back of a Parisian paddy-wagon.
While in college, Bruce was a Deke, played on the SU rugby team, taught golf to his freshman gym classmates (because the teacher didn't play golf). Bruce was on the championship teams for inter-fraternity golf and football for the Dekes. He also made both Dean's lists (the good and bad ones). He tended bar at Ed's Place for 6 years and avoided cirrhosis. He loved bar-tending and was nicknamed the "Load Monster". He once threw out the owner of Ed's and locked the door. When Bruce went for his admittance interview at the Law School, he was greeted by a rugby teammate. It was a short interview. While in law school, Bruce was a member of Phi Delta Phi.
Bruce and Lorraine were married in 1969. After graduating from law school, Bruce, Lorraine and daughter, Rachel, moved to Vincent St., and resided there for 35 years with the additions of Adam and Leah. While in Binghamton, Bruce served on the boards of the BC Pops, Binghamton City School District, the Binghamton Country Club, Endicott Coil Co. and Endicott Research Group. After practicing law for a few years, Bruce partnered with his brother to form Smyk & Smyk, where they practiced together for 30 years. The firm had various partners, two of whom went onto the bench – Broome County Court Judge Joseph Cawley and NYS Supreme Court Justice Molly Fitzgerald.
In his spare time, Bruce enjoyed golf, having played at Binghamton Country Club in 7 different decades. At the first Olds Scramble, Bruce aced the second hole and his partner, Greg Feduke, aced the 18th for 2 aces in the same round and a rather large bar bill. Bruce also double-eagled En-Joie's 15th hole when it was still a par 5 (driver, 8-iron) and aced the 7th at North Hampton CC (Yulee, FL) on St. Patrick's Day – yet another bar tab to live in infamy.
For 10 years, Bruce and Dick Fahrenz coached softball for girls aged 8-12 and ingrained into them the team motto, "It just doesn't matter", which they yelled, on cue, at their games at unruly parents. Bruce also worked part-time for the Golf Channel, ESPN and NBC Sports at PGA and Seniors golf tournaments. He was inside the ropes with Tiger. Bruce played some top courses and walked off of the 17th at the PGA Sawgrass course with a birdie.
Bruce loved playing softball for such fine establishments as the Bate's Motel, Yonda's, Reardon's and Madame Oars, among others. Ask Leah the M.O. story. As Bruce aged, he discovered that, between seasons, someone was lengthening the playing surfaces.
Bruce also survived 2 stabbings (by family members -rough family- ask the family for the details, great stories).
Bruce and Lorraine moved to Fernandina Beach, Florida in 2007, Bruce having retired from Hinman, Howard & Kattell. They came to love Amelia Island and were very happy until Bruce's body sabotaged him. Rat b****** body (hello, Jake). Towards the end, Bruce complained that he was seeing more doctors than bartenders. His skin doctor named his new boat the "Thanks, Bruce". His oncologist and heart doctors got airplanes.
While on Amelia, Bruce was a long-time treasurer for the Fernandina Beach Men's Golf Association, served on 2 city golf advisory committees, as well as the committee that assembled a Request for Proposal to hire a managing company for the city's golf courses.
Bruce's last words were, "I'm dying-- just kidding."
His family will receive visitors on Monday, October 10 from 4pm to 6pm at the Oxley-Heard Funeral Home in Fernandina Beach, FL. Bruce asked to have his ashes dumped in the ocean, if the Coast Guard nixes the Viking funeral. A Celebration of Life will be held in Binghamton, NY on a date to be determined.
Rather than flowers, please donate to the John Patrick Leet Memorial Scholarship Fund at SUNY Broome, P.O. Box 1017, Binghamton, NY 13902 or online via credit card at www.sunybroome.edu/gift.
Th-th-that's all, folks.