Obituary of Dennis G. Smythe

Dennis Goodman Smythe of North Fork, Idaho (formally of Lake Placid) passed away December 24, 2013, after a brief illness. He was born in Lake Placid on July 15, 1951, the son of Goodman and Evelyn Smythe. He graduated from Lake Placid High School (class of 1969) and studied at SUNY Canton. Upon leaving Canton, Dennis enlisted in the US Army serving his country from 1971-1976. He returned home and was employed by the Lake Placid Village Police Department from 1971 to 1980. In 1980, Dennis moved to Houston, Texas where he worked as Division Supervisor at Metropolitan Security for twelve years. Dennis' love of people and the restaurant business led him to Utah where he worked as an Assistant Food and Beverage Manager at Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks. With a desire to semi-retire, he relocated to North Fork, Idaho where he was employed at The Village at North Fork and Josephine's R.V. Park. As many say, "It's not the years of your life but the life in your years," and Dennis exemplified this. Dennis was a genuine, loyal and honest man. He would light up a room with his Irish wit, charm, and infectious laughter. His love of sports followed him throughout his life. Dennis was an avid hockey player participating in the local peewee level through high school. He also enjoyed golf and was a member of the Salmon Golf Club where he played with "his good old buddy" Jim Fendrick. He also enjoyed fishing for Steelhead Salmon and could be found sitting on the bank of the Salmon River with a cigar in his mouth and a beer in his hand. Dennis is survived by his sister Mary Clair Smythe (AuSable Forks, NY),;Aunts Mary Spaulding (Clifton Park, NY), Helen Smythe (Fort Edward, NY), and Joan Peacock (Lake Placid, NY); nephews Michael and Jeffery Smythe and sister-in-law Marilyn Smythe; and several cousins. He was preceded in death by his father and mother (Goodman and Evelyn) and brothers Tim and Michael Smythe. Calling hours will be June 6th, 6-8 p.m. at Clark Funeral Home, Lake Placid. A mass of Christian burial will be held June 7th, 10:00 a.m. at St. Agnes Church in Lake Placid, NY. Donations may be made in Dennis' memory to The Wounded Warriors Project, P.O. Box 758518, Topeka, Kansas 66675. The M. B. Clark, Inc. Funeral Home in Lake Placid, NY is in charge of arrangements. Relatives and friends may leave online condolences at www.mbclarkfuneralhome.com .