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William “Bill” (Jaroszynski) Smith

William “Bill” (Jaroszynski) Smith

William “Bill” (Jaroszynski) Smith entered peacefully into rest on May 19, 2022, at home and surrounded by family.

Born Jan. 2, 1940, in Jamestown, N.Y., Bill was the son of Valentine Jaroszynski (Smith) and Lorena May Meehan (Smith).

Jamestown High School class of 1957, he went on to graduate from St. Bonaventure University with a Bachelor of Arts in 1961, and he obtained an Master of Arts from SUNY Brockport in 1972.

Bill served in the U.S. Army Reserve from 1963-69, then had a long career as a teacher at Barker Central School, retiring in 1995. Bill started and ran Valor Consulting from 1995 to 2005, focusing on computer and technology consulting for individuals and small businesses, and from 2004-11 he was the director of Religious Education for St. Brendan on the Lake (St. Bridget’s) in Newfane, N.Y. Bill was also elected to, and served for 21 years on, the Barker Central School District Board of Education.

Bill was predeceased by his parents and siblings: Dorothy (Harold Emmott) (George) Johnson, Valentine V. (Linda) Smith Jr., Louis Philip (Viola) Smith, James Michael Smith and Nancy Rose (Steve) Williams.

Bill lived most of his life in Appleton, N.Y., from 1971, where he raised a family. In addition to his loving wife of 57 years, Ruth Ann, Bill is also survived by son, Patrick (Stephanie) Smith; and daughters: Margaret (Maggie) Smith-Desmarias and Cathleen (Catie) Smith; as well as 10 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Bill enjoyed family most of all, but he also loved his neighbors, the outdoors, fishing and campfires, and he enjoyed wandering through malls with Ruth Ann. Some thought him grumpy because he was quiet and did not smile a lot, but he was truly very happy and kind, always willing to help and lend a hand.

Friends will be received Friday, May 27, 2022, from 4-8 p.m. at RUTLAND-CORWIN FUNERAL HOME, Inc. 2670 Main St., Newfane, NY 14108. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, May 28, 2022 at 11 a.m., at St. Brendan on the Lake, 3455 Ewings Road, Newfane, NY 14108. Burial will be in Hartland Central Cemetery.

Bill’s family suggests that, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bill’s memory to the Roswell Park Alliance Foundation at http://give.roswellpark.org/