Alvah ('Alvie') Smith

Alvah (“Alvie”) Smith of Port Jervis, N.Y., went home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Sunday, Oct. 29, 2017, surrounded by his loving family. He was 88.
Son John Nelson Smith Sr. and Helen Decker Smith, he was born Sept. 11, 1929, in Port Jervis.
He was the brother of Kathleen Oathout and husband, Russell, of St. Petersburg, Fla., and the late Iola May Smith, Helen Smith Masanotti, Flora Smith, Ella Smith Millspaugh, and John Smith Jr.
He was a graduate of the Class of 1949 at Port Jervis High School, where he was known for his athletic achievements, particularly football. Upon graduation, he went to the University of Miami to continue to play football. He then enlisted in the U.S. Navy during the Korean Conflict, where he served his country as an aerial photographer aboard the USS Princeton.
He was married for 66 years to Ruth M. Lawrence and had five children, Roxanne, Amanda, Kyle, and predeceased by Bonna and Blake. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church and served as an elder for many years.
Alvie generously served his church and his community throughout his life. He worked for the Prudential Insurance Company for more than 35 years, receiving numerous awards for his exemplary work and efforts. He also was a part-time school bus driver for the Delaware Valley school system.
Upon retirement, Alvie and Ruth owned and operated Alvie’s Emporium located on Jersey Avenue. He then enjoyed working for Laurel Grove Florists as a delivery person. He was also a passionate volunteer for the Port Jervis area Pop Warner Football program where he refereed the games for over 40 years, as well as refereeing JV and Varsity high school football games.
Survivors include his wife, Ruth; daughter, Roxanne Luhrs and husband, Thomas, of Milford, Pa., Amanda Smith of Matamoras, Pa.; and son, Kyle Smith, and wife, Virginia, of Westwood, N.J.; grandchildren, Marissa, Dustin, Whitney, and Connor Luhrs, Kiera Smith and Kaitlin Smith Diaz and Joshua Smith; and great-grandchildren, Hudson and Kennedy Diaz. The family appreciates all the support from family members James and Mary Millspaugh, and family friends, The Bernard Barnett family and the Paul Gillette family.
A memorial service was held at the First Presbyterian Church of Port Jervis on Nov. 4, with the Rev. Ann Akers officiating.
The family would like to thank the Pocono Medical Center and especially the CV Tele Unit for the exceptional care they provided Alvah.
The family requests donations be made to the “Bonna Dee Smith Art Scholarship”, Wells Fargo Bank, Matamoras, PA 18336.
Arrangements were made by Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, Port Jervis.