9 Lincoln Avenue | Cortland, New York | 13045 | Phone: (607) 756-2885 | Fax: (607) 756-6240 | Email: wrightbeardfh@gmail.com
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The family of Melvin L. Smith uploaded a photo
Thursday, July 6, 2017
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The Miller Family uploaded photo(s)
Sunday, September 27, 2015
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The Miller Family uploaded photo(s)
Sunday, September 27, 2015
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The Miller Family posted a condolence
Sunday, September 27, 2015
I didn’t have the pleasure or privilege of knowing uncle Mel as well or as long as I would have liked as I was adopted into the family after I married Mel and Nancy’s niece Tarah. In Mel I witnessed kindness, gentleness, humility, generosity, and integrity. I’ve never known a harder worker in my life. He loved the land and his work, and most importantly, he loved his family.
Our son Levi is now 3, and he loved his great uncle Mel. Uncle Mel was an inspiration to him, and Levi often talks of being a farmer when he grows up. Levi has always been interested in tractors and farm equipment. I think part of that is because he is a little
boy. However, I think the bigger and more important reason that he loves tractors is because his Great Uncle Mel loved tractors.
Levi and I had the privilege of riding with uncle Mel in the combine one time. I’ve rarely seen such a look of awe on Levi’s face. As we rode in the combine, the gentle movement of the combine and the warmth in the cabin put Levi and I to sleep. I am just glad Mel didn’t fall asleep! Eventually I came to, and Mel and I just enjoyed the quiet and peace and contentment in those moments, every so often talking softly so as not to awake the sleeping 18 month old sitting in my lap. Those moments were something special. While it makes me sad to think Mel and I can't share more of those moments together, I am so happy that I got to share them with him at all. Now I am happy to share this memory with those he loved and who love him.
Even now, we wish we could be there with our family to celebrate Mel's life. We send love and courage and strength.
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Rhiannon Smith posted a condolence
Friday, September 18, 2015
Melissa, I am so saddened by your loss. Prayers for peace and comfort for you and your family.
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Tracy Bolte posted a condolence
Friday, September 18, 2015
So many are saddened by this loss, but we are all with the family as you cherish his life and the memories forever left with those who knew him. Dear Lord, please allow Melvin to remind us of him in a special way so that we can see that he stays with us even though he has departed this earth.
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The Jason Family lit a candle
Friday, September 18, 2015
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Alyssa Smith lit a candle
Friday, September 18, 2015
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My deepest condolences on the loss of Uncle Melvin. Although it had been years since I saw him, I remember many memories at the farm. My thoughts are with his family.
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Jennifer Patterson lit a candle
Friday, September 18, 2015
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Danielle DeHart Greenman posted a condolence
Friday, September 18, 2015
Hi everyone.
I am saddened and in disbelief this happened. I never ever imagined my Uncle Mel is gone to heaven He has always been one STRONG man, and could fight anything! My condolences to my dear cousin Tuna,Aunt Nancy,and Meissa. My heart goes out to you and the rest of the Smith family.
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Melissa posted a condolence
Friday, September 18, 2015
I just thought there would be more time. You are the man who raised me and who I'm proud to have been able to get to call "father". I've learned so much through your example like how to give back without expecting anything in return, how to never give up, how to be truly compassionate, how to never say "it can't be done". You were the strongest yet at the same time softest man I've ever known and I still can't believe you aren't here anymore! There was still so much I wanted to experience with you and learn from you and it isn't fair that your time here was cut short. Until we meet again...I'll always love you, my sweet father.
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Anna lit a candle
Thursday, September 17, 2015
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Anne lit a candle
Wednesday, September 16, 2015
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Elva Svendsen posted a condolence
Tuesday, September 15, 2015
Hello,
I am Kris Maxwell's friend in McDonough. I met Mel a few times when he was delivering hay and straw to Kris. I was very, very saddened and shocked to hear about Mel's passing. Every time I met Mel, I had been impressed by his calm, quiet, kind demeanor with people and animals. He was very nice to Kris' animals and my dogs, when I brought them along to Kris' as he was delivering straw for her. This area has suffered a great loss with his passing, and my thoughts are with his family and friends.
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Gary Freelove posted a condolence
Monday, September 14, 2015
I've known Mel for most of my life. We always had a great relationship and I will miss him. My heart and prayers go out to his wife and family. Losing a good friend is always painful. I will see you in Heaven along with Marvin, your mom & dad. God bless you my friend.
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George and Rosemary (Hallett) Lee posted a condolence
Monday, September 14, 2015
My husband and I grew up in the Cortland area and while attending Bible Baptist Church we became friends with the Smith family. They were part of our church family. It is easy for me to recall many happy times we spent on the Smith farm while during my junior high years especially. Melvin was always working, taking care of some important chore that the farm demanded of him daily. I remember the many rabbits he raised, the endless days helping his parents with the cattle and the summers he spent in the fields haying. And of course I will not forget the hobby he had of raising mice in big barrels which got a laugh from all who saw them. As a teenager I recall the many evenings sitting and talking for hours on the phone to Melvin about the many subjects that teens talk about....The freezing cold winter weather, and endless piles of snow never deterred the friends that would go to the hills around the family farm to have fun tobogganing. His mother would make the young people hot cocoa for us all after playing in the cold blustery snow.
At the height of his youth he suffered the loss of his close elder brother Marvin in a farm accident. The news shook all of us to the core. Tragedy seems to lurk in the shadows of all our lives. Marvin's death brought all of us to understand the brevity of life. At age 10 I too lost my own sibling, an older sister (Elaine) of 12 in a tragic car accident. A few brief years later Melvin and his sisters grieved over the loss of their own. All of our hearts were wounded. It seemed the vacant holes in our hearts left all of us wondering Why these tragedies had to come to pass. Over the years all of us have had to face tragedy, bitterness, anger at God and each other. This sin filled world has left none of us without fault, accusations, envy of each other, hearts filled with unforgiveness and many other negative emotions. As the years have passed I have learned that harboring negative emotions does nothing in repairing the holes in our hearts. Our Creator, the Good Shepherd of our souls has made an available way to heal us. Our part is just to open and admit and confess what our heart is filled with and then to LET the Lord Spirit of the universe come in to replace the garbage in our hearts. I've had to give up and let go of all the negativity. I want my heart to be filled with God, Jesus, who is light, laughter, and love not anything else. Author, Anne Voskamp says it well; "I only deepen the wound of the world when I neglect to give thanks for...the rain that falls and all the good things that a good God gives. Why would the world need more anger, more outrage? How does it save the world to reject unabashed joy when it is Joy that saves us?...When we lay the soil of our hard lives open to the rain of Grace and let Joy penetrate our cracked and dry places, let Joy soak into our broken skin and deep crevices, life grows. How can this not be the best thing for the world? For us? The clouds open when we gives thanks from our mouth."
When I review the arrangement that the Lord of my life made to interact with Melvin, I was blessed in many small ways to know him. It is not trite to say that "God causes all things to work together for good to those who love Him..." Tragedy and pain affords us new opportunities to grow and mature.
George and I desire that Melvin's family would find his death a new start, like spring that follows a bleak dead winter. We all have been blessed to have had him in our lives. May your hearts be comforted by the God of all Comfort.
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Nancy posted a condolence
Sunday, September 13, 2015
You were the sweetest, kindest, most loving and hardest working man I have ever known. You taught me so much. I will love you forever, until we meet again, rest in peace my sweet Smitty.
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Nathan Miller lit a candle
Friday, September 11, 2015
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Sharon Schmidt posted a condolence
Thursday, September 10, 2015
Words cannot express how sad we all are at losing our sweet brother (in law) He will be missed, visiting the farm will not ever be the same. He was an original.. the heart of a lion and a wonderful brother. Rest in peace sweet Mel we think of you often and you are forever in our hearts
Love Jim and Shanny
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Bernie Heath lit a candle
Thursday, September 10, 2015
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Mike Ryan lit a candle
Wednesday, September 9, 2015
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john west lit a candle
Wednesday, September 9, 2015
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john west posted a condolence
Wednesday, September 9, 2015
Will miss Mel very much. What a good guy he was.
My kids loved him too..
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Melissa Smith uploaded photo(s)
Wednesday, September 9, 2015
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Tina lit a candle
Tuesday, September 8, 2015
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Never in a million yrs did I think I would be saying goodbye to my Dad so early in my life.. He's always been the strongest, hardest working man that I've ever known and in my eyes, nothing could bring him down. It is with the heaviest of hearts that I have to accept the fact that he's not coming back, no matter how badly I want him here. My heart feels broken into a million pieces and my life has been forever changed. We lost an incredible farmer with a huge heart, and I lost a wonderful Dad that will never be replaced. I know you're flying high with the angels Dad, and watching over us and your farm. I'll love you forever and always.. Till we meet again.. R.I.P. Daddy
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9 Lincoln Avenue | Cortland, New York | 13045
Phone: (607) 756-2885 | Fax: (607) 756-6240 | Email: wrightbeardfh@gmail.com
