ELLENBURG DEPOT – Harold "Sonny" Smith, 79, of Drown Road, passed away, February 24, 2020 surrounded by his loving family.

He was born in Ellenburg on September 30, 1940, son of Wilfred and Florence (Veivia) Smith.

Sonny met the former Shirley Drown playing ball at the Wesleyan Church ball field on Canaan Hill, and they married on July 5, 1958.

Sonny was a hardworking man who began working at a young age by unloading train cars filled with grain at Carpenter Adams in Ellenburg.  He also worked at the milk plant in Champlain, and then later traveled to Niagara Falls where he spent time painting bridges.  Sonny then returned home and worked with Phillip Sunderland painting barns throughout the area and also bought and collected old iron and metal with Martin Drown.  He began to help on the farm that was operated by Shirley's family, and then in 1963, Sonny and Shirley bought the farm from her family and together they farmed for the next 51 years until they retired in 2014.

Sonny enjoyed snowmobiling in his earlier years. He also enjoyed bowling with his friends, his many trips to Atlantic City, spending time with family going to the Gulf and later on in life buggy rides with his family and friends.

He found great enjoyment everyday when family and neighbors would stop by for a snack, drink, and especially a night of cards. Sonny's motto was "You cannot fly on one wing, you need two!"

Survivors include his wife of 61 years, Shirley Smith of Ellenburg Depot;  four children, Todd and Cindy Smith of Ellenburg Center, Terry Smith of Bradley Beach, NJ, Timothy and Judy Smith of Ellenburg Depot, and Tina and Patrick Silver of Ellenburg Depot;  three sisters, Clayda and David Baxter of South Burlington, VT, Audrey and Howard Hubbard of Williston, VT, and Phyllis and Dennis LaBombard of Ellenburg Depot; six grandsons, Dustin Smith, Tyler and Amanda Smith, Jesse Smith and Alisha Hudson, Jordon and Amber Smith, Colton Smith and Mara Ryan, and Richard Silver;  four great-granddaughters, Hayzelle, Ivy, Cassidy, and Carissa Smith; and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, February 29 ^th from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Rabideau Funeral Home in Ellenburg followed by a funeral service at 12:00 p.m. in the funeral home chapel.

Entombment will immediately follow in Whispering Maples Memorial Gardens in Ellenburg Depot.

Donations in his memory may be made to the Ellenburg Depot Fire Department or to the Ellenburg Depot Wesleyan Church.

Condolences may be made to the family by visiting www.rabideaufuneralhome.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted into the care of the Rabideau Funeral Home, 5614 Route 11, Ellenburg.