Bart A. Smith

Bart was a gifted painter and creative designer. He possessed the rare ability to transform any space–whether it was a room, a blank easel, a retail window, or a simple arrangement of blooms–into a work of art. His creative spirit flourished in the garden and on the stage.

In his younger years, he loved to perform in high school musicals, both at Little Theater and with the Warren Players. In 1995, he moved to Pasadena CA to pursue his career as a Floral Designer at Jacob Maarse, where he created high-end luxury floral designs for CA elite weddings and events. Each year he would decorate the NBC television booth at the Rose Bowl Parade. It was there he met his lifetime best friend, Ursula Haene-Kannofsky, to whom he spoke with almost every day.

In 2021, Bart packed up his car and his 100lb dog, Villa Parke, and drove across the country back to his hometown roots in Lakewood NY to care for his mother. He remained in Jamestown after her death in 2024, where he led a quiet life connecting with old friends and new, planting gardens, thrifting, and creating art. He shared the love of sunflowers and cardinals with his mother.

Bart’s siblings would like to extend a big thank you to Bart’s neighbors, Rich & Sarah, for being our angels on earth, who truly were God’s hands and feet, for checking on Bart and helping him whenever he called and for being there for us.

Bart is survived by his siblings, Craig (Katie) Smith of Lancaster NY, Carna (Bill) Smith-Warner of Lakewood NY and Laura (Steve) Starner of Philipsburg PA; and his nieces & nephews, Joshua (Alex) and Justin (Karissa) Morcelle, Dr. Jillian (Marc) and Jacob Smith, Colby (Courtney), Taylor (Courtney), and Nathan (Alyssa) Chamberlin, and Ryan (Tracey) and Linnea (Bob Wynn) Onuffer; many great nieces and nephews; and by his Uncle Nels Frick and Aunt Sally Frick and many cousins.

He is celebrating in heaven with those who went before him, including his parents; his maternal grandparents, Elmer and Sagrid Frick; his paternal grandparents Garnet and Merritt Smith; and his Beloved dogs, Charlie and Villa Parke.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, March 13th at the Kiantone Congregational Church in Jamestown, at 11am. The Rev. Mel McGinnis will officiate. Friends and family will be received in the church for one hour prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Chautauqua County Humane Society, 2825 Stunk Rd, Jamestown. Share condolences at www.lindfuneralhome.com.