James Smith Obituary

Smith, II, James Hugh

Jim Smith was born in Fort Wayne Indiana, raised in Rochester N.Y (Irondequoit) and was living in Chicago Illinois when he passed away on October 3rd, 2021 surrounded by family and loved ones.

Jim is survived by his beloved partner of 34 years Barbara Potter; his sons Adam (Christy) and Stuart (Leah); his brothers Phil (Eva) and Greg (Kathy) Smith; his grandchildren whom he loved so much Paige, Rian, Whitman, June, Carey, Neive and his nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his sister Patricia Kremer, his father James Hugh Smith and mother Marie Needham Smith. Jim was a devoted father and avid lacrosse fan who could be found coaching and watching his two boys blaze their own lacrosse paths and providing the perfect guidance to his six grandchildren as each has developed their love for the game. He was also deeply committed to his alma mater Syracuse, which was especially noted during the spring lacrosse season as he made sure he kept his Saturdays flexible depending on the Orangemen's schedule. His career choices perfectly suited his outgoing personality and strong desire to assist others in any way he could. In senior sales positions, especially at Champion International Paper Company, he reveled in forging relationships and building lifelong friendships with his business associates and customers alike. His final business position, which involved synthetic athletic turf fields, fittingly took him full circle to athletics and providing others with what he considered the safest surface for young athletes. His laugh could light up any room and his constant support and loyalty for those he surrounded himself with was felt by everyone he encountered. He will be deeply missed by his family, and all who would be lucky enough to call him their friend. Syracuse lacrosse has a motto, which is "Head, Heart and Hustle". There is no finer man, who exemplifies those three attributes, and the ultimate medicine game in heaven just got one heck of a midfielder added to its roster; Jim was a 1970 North South All Star Game honoree. Take it to em #65. A private life celebration will be held in Chicago followed by a funeral service in Rochester N.Y., details are pending. In lieu of flowers, donations in the loving memory of Jim to either The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research (https://www.michaeljfox.org) or the Casey Powell World Lacrosse Foundation for injured or sick lacrosse players (https://worldlacrosse.org) would be greatly appreciated by the family. Info: donnellanfuneral.com or (847) 675-1990.

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