In Memory of Francis Smith

Obituary

Francis Smith, 88, of Whitesboro, NY, passed away on August 21, 2026, at Wynn Hospital in Utica. Fran was born in 1938 in Bristol, CT, to the late Raymond J. Smith Sr. and the late Catherine Smith. Following his active service in the United States Air Force, Fran married Agatha Kvedas in New Britain, CT, in July 1962 and began a 32-year career with GE Aerospace, working on advanced military and national security programs. They shared nearly 64 years of marriage until her passing in May 2026.

During his career, he earned his BS in Electrical Engineering from San Jose State University and his MBA from the Lally School of Management at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Fran lived a life defined by loyalty, hard work, and quiet strength. He took immense pride in his work, but his greatest joy was his family.

Fran is survived by his children, Lisa (Ken) White of Deerfield Beach, FL, Glenn (Pamela) Smith of Rome, and Chris Smith of Whitesboro; four grandchildren, Mariah Smith, Santana Block, Evan White, and Ryan White; and four great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Agatha; his parents; and his brother, Raymond J. Smith Jr. He is also survived by his wife’s siblings, Rev. Leonard Kvedas and Anthony Kvedas, both of New Britain, CT, and Marcella and Curt Schubert of Wayland, MA.

He was a member of Our Lady of the Rosary Church.

The family would like to thank the CCU nurses at Wynn Hospital and the staff at Eastern Star Home for their care during his stays.

There are no calling hours. His funeral service will be on Friday, September 11, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at the Friedel, Williams & Edmunds Funeral and Cremation Services, 13 Oxford Road, New Hartford, NY. Interment will follow at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Whitesboro.

In memory of Fran, please consider St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, https://www.stjude.org, or the Gary Sinise Foundation,
https://www.garysinisefoundation.org, which honors and supports defenders, veterans, first responders, and their families.

For online expressions of sympathy go to fwefh.com.