Roderick A. Smith

Alder Creek- Roderick A. Smith, 73, of Phillips Road, husband of Linda, passed away at his residence while surrounded by the care of his loving wife and family.

Affectionately known as Rod, he was born in Boonville, on November 7, 1951, a son of Donald Herman Smith and Ruth LaFountain Smith. He grew up on Division St. Forestport, and attended Forestport Central School, before completing his high school education at Adirondack Central School, Boonville, graduating with the Class of 1969.

On January 23, 1971, Rod was united in marriage with the love of his life, Linda Ludwikowski, at St. Martin’s Church, Port Leyden. Thereafter the couple lived on School St. Forestport, for many years, before moving to their present home near Alder Creek several years ago.

Rod enjoyed a long and brilliant career as a heavy equipment and heavy crane operator, beginning in 1969, with his first employment at Empire Recycling Co. of Utica, followed by employment for United Contractors of Utica, as a crane operator. Later for 45 years, Mr. Smith was employed as a heavy equipment and crane operator at many major construction projects throughout central and northern New York, as a member of International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 158, District 545, of Syracuse, NY.

Rod was born at just the right time to enjoy his favorite outdoor hobby of snowmobiling, and interest which followed the sport from its earliest days in upstate New York, to modern day snowmobiles. In addition, he greatly enjoyed attending the snowmobile races in Boonville and the straight line races held at Hawkinsville Airport and in Forestport. Rod was also a longtime member and served on the Board of Directors of the Trackside Trail Blazers Snowmobile Club, of Forestport and will be fondly remembered for his great ability for operating snowmobile trail grooming vehicles over wide sections of the Forestport area trails. In April, 2024, Rod was honored with the title of Groomer Operator of the Year award, by the New York State Snowmobile Association.

A true outdoorsman, Rod greatly enjoyed hunting and fishing, motor cycle riding and working in his garage. He especially enjoyed attending the annual New York State Woodsmen’s Field Days, in Boonville. Rod will be fondly remembered by the staff at the nearby Kayuta Drive Inn, for his near daily summer visits for their chocolate ice cream.

Rod was a member of St. Patrick’s Church, Forestport and a former thirty-year member of the Forestport Fire Fighters.

Rod’s greatest joy in life was spending time with his wife, Linda, children grandchildren and great grandson. In addition to his wife of fifty-four years, Rod is survived by a son, William “Bill” Smith and his fiancée Tracy Noble, of Verona; a daughter and son in law, Crystal (Jim) Girouard, Alder Creek and one brother, Brad Smith, Marcy. Also surviving are his grandchildren; Kendall, Adrian and Ryan Girouard, Justin, Kodi and Paige Smith, Hailey (Mason) Hoydic, Joseph and Connor Noble, a great grandson, Tucker Hoydic and several nieces and nephews.

Visitation hours will be on Monday, March 17, 2025, from 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. & 6:00 – 8:00 P.M., at Trainor Funeral Home, Inc. 143 Schuyler St. Boonville. Interment in Alder Creek Cemetery, with a celebration of his life to follow, will be held later this spring at a date and time to be announced. Memorial contributions may be made to the Trackside Blazers Snowmobile Club, PO Box 334, Forestport, NY 13338. His funeral arrangements are entrusted to Trainor Funeral Home, Inc. Boonville.