Richard R. Smith

Rick passed away on May 29, 2025 after a short battle with cancer. He will be missed by his wife, Mary (Driscoll) Smith, his son, Alex (Danielle) Smith, his stepchildren Paul (Shanda) Husted, Margaret (Zachary) Husted Stewart, Jamie (Jason) Whitenight, and Tracie (Matthew) Barletta. Rick was the cherished Papa Rick to twelve grandchildren: Zoey, Grant, Elizabeth, Lillian, Caden, Liam, Waylon, Levi, Averie, Harper, Eli and Cole.

He had three loves in his life: his family, his 2014 Miata MX5, and traveling.

He loved having the family over for Sunday Dinners. Some Sundays could be all 22 kids and grandkids; some Sundays may have been one family. He would listen to the chatter going on around him. And then turn down the hearing aids when it got too loud.

He helped babysit the grandchildren two days a week. He was the baby whisperer; he would hold the youngest and feed the bottle while I took care of the rest of them.

One of his greatest interests was his Miata MX5 and the Niagara Miata Club. We enjoyed the many road trips and dinners the club went on, as well as traveling all over Western New York and beyond on our own. He was the editor of the Newsletter that seemed to grow every month. It was a challenge to see how many articles he could get in the newsletter in any month.

Rick also loved traveling as well as planning the trip. There were many vacations on beaches in the Caribbean, a trip to Italy, the Canadian Rocky Mountaineer, and many trips that we took in the Miata. There were also cherished memories of the family biannual vacations to Sandbridge VA and Deep Creek MD. Thank you Rick for so many memories…

There will be a private burial for the immediate family. A Celebration of Life will be held at a future date. Donations may be made in Rick’s name to www.hospicebuffalo.com.