James “Jim” C. Smith (Smitty), age 74, of Hornell, passed away on August 17, 2025 at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester.
Born in Hornell on July 22, 1951, he was the son of Thomas A. & Mary J. (Kelleher) Smith.
Jim grew up in Hornell and was a graduate of Hornell High School (Class of 1969). Following high school he joined his father and grandfather at A.W. Smith & Son, a family owned & operated newspaper and magazine distribution business. In later years, he worked as a painter for local contractors. He was a member of the Hornell American Legion.
Family time was important to Jim. He always looked forward to family gatherings and holiday celebrations. At Christmas, the nieces and nephews always enjoyed the unique gifts from Uncle Jim.
Jim enjoyed gardening and loved giving away vegetables and garlic to family and friends. He was known for his hot peppers that he made with Larry and Kathy Doty. They were always a center piece at his annual Super Bowl Party on Washington Street.
Smitty was good at any sport he played. He was a softball legend in Hornell, where he played in the Hornell slow pitch league for 39 years. The lefty was known for his towering home runs at James St. Park. During his career he played for Caruso’s Roofing and Southside Tavern and they won 15 city championships. He also played for Cappy’s travel team made up of the top players in the Hornell area. The team traveled all over New York and Pennsylvania and was one of the top tournament teams in New York State. He was known as the “Big Kahuna” on the softball field. Smitty was also an excellent pool player. He played for many years in the Hornell Fraternal League representing the Hornell American Legion. Also, before his bout with cancer twenty years ago, Smitty was one of the top golfers in the area! Long off the tee and a putting stroke most golfers would give an arm and a leg for! He was an avid sports fan, and loved pulling for the New York Yankees and the Buffalo Bills.
Smitty was blessed with many close friends who were like a second family to him. They spent many days at a little piece of heaven on earth called “Rock Haven”. He had a love for the outdoors and spent many years bow hunting and casting a line with his buddies there. These were some of his fondest memories.
In addition to his parents, Jim was predeceased by his brother Thomas J. Smith.
Surviving are his four sisters, Barbara (Stephen) Todd, Patricia Smith, Christine (Robert) Cox and Janice (Steve) Leonardo; nieces and nephews, Michael (Andrea) Todd, Matthew (Ashley) Todd, Stephanie (Eric) Dunn, Christopher (Lauren Snyder) Todd, Kevin (fiancé Maura) Cox, Brian (fiancé Madisyn) Cox, Sara Leonardo, Emma Leonardo and Jason Leonardo; great nieces and nephews, Declan Todd, Emilia Todd, Hazel Dunn and Samuel Dunn; and several cousins.
A special thank you to Clair Mallory, Frank Poorman and Pat Norton who have been an incredible help and support to Jim and his family.
A private graveside service will be held at St. Mary’s Cemetery.
In honor of Jim, a “Celebration of Life” will be held on Saturday, September 20th from 12:00 (Noon) until 4:00 PM at The Main Place, 251 Main St., Hornell, NY.
Funeral arrangements are in care of the Dagon Funeral Home, 38 Church St., Hornell, NY.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Wilmont Cancer Center, C/O Strong Memorial Hospital, 601 Elmwood Ave., Rochester, NY 14642.
To leave an online condolence or share a memory, visit www.dagonfuneralhome.com
