| Date of Birth | August 20, 1936 |
| Date Deceased | August 10, 2021 |
| Hometown | Hornell |
| Home State | N.Y. |
| Service Date | August 14, 2021 |
| Service Time | 11 a.m. |
| Service Location | Bishop & Johnson Funeral Home, Inc. |
Douglas R. Smith
HORNELL-Douglas R. Smith, 84, peacefully passed away Tuesday morning (Aug. 10, 2021) at his home on Elm Street.
Born in Hempstead, Long Island, NY on Aug. 20, 1936 he was a son of the late Douglas and Harriett (Nelson) Smith. He was married in Binghamton, NY on Nov. 4, 1957 to the former Eileen Miller, who predeceased him on May 6, 2001 after nearly 44 years of marriage. On April 22, 2011 he was married in Hornell to the former Maureen Sweet, who survives.
Doug graduated from high school in Hempstead, Long Island and attended Alfred University. He has resided in Hornell for most of his life and was employed for 43 years as an engineer for the former Erie and Erie-Lackawanna Railroads and retired from the Delaware & Hudson Railroad in 2000.
A model train enthusiast, he was a member of the Board of Directors and a volunteer for the Hornell Erie Depot Museum. Doug was a railroad historian and enjoyed sharing with others his knowledge and the value of the railroads. He was a strong advocate for passenger safety around the rails and would often share the importance of it with area school students.
Doug especially enjoyed spending summers at Keuka Lake and will be remembered most of all for his love of family, for being a hard worker, for always being available for others and respecting the opinions of people even though he may of had his own definite opinion.
His loving family includes his wife of 10 years, Maureen Sweet-Smith; four children, Michael (Mary) Smith of Canandaigua, NY, Penelope Smith of Hornell, Eric (Margaret Dunning) Smith of Wellsboro, PA and Timothy (Lisa) Smith of Sparta, NJ; five grandchildren, Michael Constanta of West Palm Beach, FL, Hannah Smith of Wellsboro, PA, Lauren Smith of Philadelphia, PA, Elizabeth Smith of Denville, NJ and Christopher Smith of Sparta, NJ; one brother, Jay (Patricia) Smith of Bloomfield, NY and members of the Sweet family, his sister-in-law, Sue Mettler and her husband Chuck; brother-in-law, Mike Sweet and his wife Barb; nieces and nephews, Sara Frank and her husband Adam, Kevin Mettler and his wife Elsie, Bill Sweet and Amanda Sweet, Debbie Sweet (Shawn Horning); great nieces, Olivia Frank and Caroline Frank and great nephew, Connor Frank. The Sweet family loved Doug so much and he will be missed dearly.
The family will greet relatives and friends from 10 a.m.-11 a.m. Saturday (Aug 14, 2021) at the Bishop & Johnson Funeral Home, Inc., 285 Main St., Hornell, where a Celebration of Doug’s Life will follow at 11a.m. Unvaccinated people are kindly asked to wear a face mask. Thank you for understanding.
In lieu of flowers, those wishing may contribute in his memory to either the Hornell Area Humane Society, 7649 Industrial Park Road, Hornell or to the Hornell Erie Depot Museum, 111 Loder St., Hornell, NY 14843. Envelopes for memorial contributions will be available at the funeral home.
The Bishop & Johnson Funeral Home, Inc. in Hornell is honored to assist Doug’s family with the arrangements.
Maureen, our heart goes out to you in the loss of your partner, best friend. To the children, grandchildren – The Sweet Family will forever remember Doug as a wonderful soul with a smile on his face and a pocketful of stories to share. His wit was second to none. Shawn and I always enjoyed your annual visits full of laughter and will treasure those memories for years to come. Deepest condolences on the tremendous loss of such a kind man. RIP Doug.
I am so sorry to hear of Doug’s passing. I’m sending prayers for strength and comfort for Maureen and family.
Maureen, We are so sorry for your loss.
My prayers go out to the Smith family.Doug was a Great Railroader and friend.Rest In Peace my Friend you will be missed.
So sorry for your loss Eric and Peggy. Prayers for him and all who loved him.