Larry Smith

Larry Dexter Smith, age 88, previously of Fairport, NY, most recently of Northampton, MA died on November 27, 2025 after a brief illness.
He is survived by his daughter, Penny Smith-Giguere of Northampton, MA, his son, Doug Smith of Rochester, NY, his son in law, Gerald Giguere and his granddaughter, Heather Giguere. His wife of 63 years, Anne (Griffith) Smith passed away in September of 2022. Larry was born in Auburn, NY. He and his brother, Richard (d.2025) were raised in Batavia, NY and later, Spencerport, NY. He married Anne in August 1958, and their first home was in Spencerport, NY, which was where they lived when their children were born in 1959 and 1960. In 1965, they moved to Fairport, NY, where he lived in the same house until 2024, when he moved to Northampton, MA.
In addition to working full time at French's (as in mustard) and caring for a wife and two young children, Larry attended college at night and graduated with a BS degree from Rochester Institute of Technology in 1968. In 1973, he was awarded a Professional Engineer license. He worked his way up to Head of Engineering through a number of prominent Rochester manufacturing companies until 1989, when he ventured out on his own as an independent Consulting Engineer. He specialized in designing heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems for all manner of commercial properties in New York state. He and Anne ran the business together until they both retired in 2012.
Larry was a doer. He needed to be busy. He loved his work, not retiring until he was 75. He loved owning and driving new cars and his 1931 Ford Model A roadster, captaining "Leucothea", their 20' sailboat on the Finger Lakes, fishing, photography and collecting cameras, computers and all the latest tech toys, scuba diving in the Caribbean, seeing plays and theater organ concerts, and traveling to spend time with extended family, wherever they may be. He told me that he and Anne visited 49 states, but never made it to Texas.
Per Larry's wishes, there will be "no big fuss upon his passing". He asked to be cremated with his urn forevermore touching that of his beloved wife of 64 years, in the Griffith family plot in Unadilla Forks, NY.
If you have fond memories of Larry and are moved to make a donation in his honor, please consider the Hospice of the Fisher Home, 1165 North Pleasant Street, Amherst, MA 01002.
This is where he spent his last few days. We are immensely grateful to them, as their gentle and attentive care helped him to pass with dignity.
Memorial guestbook can be found at www.douglassfuneral.com To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Larry, please visit our Tree Store.