Joseph J. Smith, Jr.

GALWAY AND TUPPER LAKE – Joseph J. Smith, Jr., 50, of Tupper Lake, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday evening, July 31, 2024 at the University of Vermont Medical Center in Burlington, VT.

Joe was born on March 3, 1974 in Amsterdam to Joseph J. Smith, Sr. and the late Christina Walker. He was raised in Galway by Joseph and Tracy Smith. As a teenager, he moved to Tupper Lake where he graduated from Tupper Lake High School in 1993. Joe had a long career as a Corrections Officer, working in many New York State Prisons including Clinton County Correctional Facility in Dannemora and Adirondack Correctional Facility in Ray Brook.

He loved being outdoors, hunting, fishing, snowmobiling and riding his side-by-side. Joe was an excellent cook and enjoyed making meals for his family and friends. He also enjoyed snuggling with his pets, Blaze and Freddy.  But none of this compares to the love and admiration he had for his daughter, Kearstan.  He regularly bragged to anyone that would listen about how amazing she was, and often expressed that she was his true inspiration in life.

In addition to his birth mother, Joe is predeceased by his paternal grandparents, Alfred and Jane Smith and his maternal grandparents, Roger and Marlene Sherman.

He is survived by his beloved daughter, Kearstan Smith (Tyler Chiasson) of Tupper Lake; his father, Joseph J. Smith, Sr. of Galway; His step-mother, Tracy Smith of Galway; his love, Paula Canell, and her son Cole Canell of Greenfield Center; his brothers and sisters, Michael Smith (Lexie) of Middle Grove, Brandon Smith of Galway, Dustin Smith (Kayla) of Galway, Kaitlin Smith and Karli Smith also both of Galway; His grandchildren, Leah Strader, Matthew Chiasson, and Sadie Chiasson; and many nieces and nephews.

Friends may call from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm on Sunday, August 4, 2024 at Armer Funeral Home, Inc., 39 East High Street, Ballston Spa. 

Memorial donations may be made to the Correctional Peace Officers Foundation at www.cpof.org.