Gregory "Greg" J. Smith

Gregory J. “Greg” Smith, 73, of Gloversville, NY, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loved ones on August 10, 2025, after a long and courageous battle with Alzheimer’s/Dementia. Born on December 8, 1951, in Gloversville, he was the son of Richard and Inez Smith.

Greg grew up in Gloversville but attended Mayfield Schools, where he was a proud member of

the Class of 1970. He continued his education at Clarkson College and Fulton-Montgomery

Community College. Always eager to expand his skills, Greg also completed at-home study

courses through Jones/National Cable Television Institute, earning Chief

Technician and CATV Fiber Optics certifications.

 

Greg dedicated much of his professional life to the cable television industry, beginning as a cable

crewman and working his way up to Cable TV Engineer. From 1974 to 1996, he worked locally

for Sammon’s Communications, which later became Time Warner Cable. In 1996, Greg moved

his family to Denver, CO, where he worked for Fanch Communications, Frontier Vision

Partners, and Western Integrated Networks until 2001. Upon returning to Gloversville, he

pursued several career paths with the same dedication and craftsmanship that defined his

life—working in real estate, life insurance, investment services, kitchen design, and finally as a

self-employed finish carpenter.

 

Greg was deeply committed to his wife and family, taking great pride in his work and in the life

they built together. Known for his quick wit and wonderful sense of humor, he loved playing

with his grandchildren—often tickling them or making silly faces just to hear their laughter. He

had a deep love for God and his country, values which guided the way he lived his life.

Music was another important part of Greg’s life. His passion for music began in high school,

when he played keyboard with various local bands and sang in a high school quartet. This early

experience led to his lifelong involvement in barbershop singing, performing the baritone part

with the Saratoga Racing City Chorus and the Upstate Harmonizers. One of his proudest

accomplishments was winning the 1979 Northeastern District Quartet Competition in Montreal,

Canada, with his quartet Showdown. Greg also enjoyed leading worship and playing guitar or

bass with various church worship teams over the years, using his talents to bless others and

glorify God.

 

Greg is survived by his wife of nearly 51 years, Kathy Yates Smith; his three daughters, Jodi

(Kenneth) Sluti, Jamie (Clint) Woodman, and Janelle (Kevin) Collins; nine grandchildren, Kayla

(Liam) Enders, Camden (Leila) Woodman, Kaden (Hollie) Sluti, Kaleb (Julia) Sluti, Kenny Sluti,

Juliana Sluti, Corbin Collins, Cooper Collins, and June Collins; and one great-grandchild,

Maverick Enders. He is also survived by his siblings, Douglas (Judy) Smith and Lorie

Rosenberg; brothers-in-law, Alan (Judy) Yates and Richard (Tina) Yates; his cousin, Rick

(Linda) Ottman; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, Richard

and Inez Smith, brother-in-law, Ronald Rosenberg, brother-in-law David Yates, and sister-in-law,

Diane Yates Comtois.

 

A Celebration of Life service will be held at Broadalbin Baptist Church, 40 W. Main St.,

Broadalbin, NY, on Saturday, September 6, 2025, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 pm, followed by a reception with refreshments in the church fellowship hall. Please arrive 15 minutes early as the service will start promptly at 2:00 pm. Plenty of parking is available in the church parking lot.

 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Caroga Arts Collective at carogaarts.org or to the music ministry at Sacandaga Bible Conference, 191 Lakeview Rd, Broadalbin, NY 12025.  Please mail checks to the address given or call 518-883-3713 to donate over the phone.

 

Arrangements are entrusted to Betz, Rossi, Bellinger & Stewart Family Funeral Homes.