Daniel J. Smythe

October 3, 1933 - September 18, 2009

Grahamsville, NY

Daniel Joseph Smythe passed away on Friday, September 18, 2009 after a six and a half year battle with cancer.

He was born on October 3, 1933, the son of Daniel and Margaret Bergin Smythe in New York City.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Carol; three children: Jennifer Ballard and her husband, Roger of Mongaup Valley, Robert Jones and his companion, Marilyn Russell of Woodbourne, and Andrew Jones and his companion, Yvonne Dolfini of Grahamsville; and four grandchildren: Jean Claude and Kris Ballard of Mongaup Valley, Lauren and Devan Jones of Woodbourne; and numerous cousins. He was known as Papa Dan to Anthony, Hannah, and Austin. His sister, Elaine Smythe, predeceased him on July 31, 2009.

He was an artist and a master falconer, and loved the hills and valleys of the Grahamsville area where he had lived for over 30 years. He was proud to serve in the U.S. Army during the occupation of Germany after World War II. He lived for many years in Manhattan where he pursued his love of art, working in both the commercial field and as an educator, while working in different mediums. Shortly after moving his art studio and his home to Grahamsville, he became a falconer and then a master falconer, where he flew hawks for the sport of hunting and bred and raised Harris hawks. He helped educate others about the importance of all raptors and the part raptors played in the environment and the food chain. There were many in Sullivan County who got to hear and see Dan as he took both hawks and owls out to different events to help educate others. During his illness, he had to give up falconry and sculpture, but began to focus on pencil drawing. He shared his cartoons and serious drawings with many up to a few days before his death. There will be a small amount of his art work on exhibit at the Old Stone House in Woodbourne in a group show that will be shown during the month of October.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, September 22, at Colonial Memorial Funeral Home, 396 State Route 52, Woodbourne, NY 12788 from 4 to 7 p.m.

Interment of ashes will take place at 1 p.m. on Saturday, September 26, at Claryville Cemetery.

In Lieu of flowers, please take a bouquet to a nearby nursing home or hospital. Any memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Sullivan and Orange Counties, 800 Stony Brook Court, Newburgh, NY 12550; Time and the Valleys Museum, PO Box 307, Grahamsville, NY 12740 or a charity of your choice.

Arrangements by Colonial Memorial Funeral Home. For further information, please visit our website www.colonialbryantfuneralhome.com or give us a call at 845-434-7363.