Thomas J. Smart

Thomas J. Smart

Age 79, of Penn Yan, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, teacher, coach, and friend passed away June 5, 2026 at KCC Home surrounded by family, after a long battle with Glioblastoma multiforme brain cancer.

Tom is survived by his loving family, wife of nearly 53 years, Denise G.(Dee) Smart; children, Andrew Smart (Bridgid) of Broomall, PA, Trevor Smart (Alyssa) of Londonderry, NH, and Mackenzie Smart of Rushville, NY; brother David L. Smart of Rushville, NY; grandchildren, Declan, Ciaran, Finley, Delaney, and Addison; nephew, Travis Smart (Molly) and their sons, Dwyer, and Jackson; cousins, Patsy, Jimmy, and Denis and their families He was predeceased by his parents, Thomas W. and Frances (Vreeland) Smart; and grandparents, William and Rose (Ciffelli) Smart and Leroy and Catherine (Rankin) Vreeland; sister-in-law, Julieann (Scidmore) Smart.

Tom was born on September 28, 1946 in Geneva, NY. He graduated from Gorham High School in 1964, where he was a superior percussionist and performed in the inaugural Gorham Pageant of Bands from 1960-1964. He went on to study Physics at Hobart College (Class of 1968) and received in Masters at SUNY Geneseo. Following his studies, Tom devoted over three decades to the class room as an educator in Physics and other sciences from 1968-2002.

He coached boys and girls high school track and cross-country teams, and advocated for the creation of the Girls Track and Cross-Country teams. He was a highly respected coach in the Wayne Finger Lakes League, and honored as an Inaugural member of the Penn Yan Academy Athletics Hall of Fame, and member of the Section 5 Cross-Country Hall of Fame. Upon his retirement, he spent many years as a respected track & cross country official.

Through his teaching and coaching, he influenced countless young people. Never once did he regret choosing education as a profession; and often times said he would do it all again. He will be sorely missed by all that knew him.

He enjoyed fishing, hunting, skiing, traveling and spending time on beautiful Keuka Lake. But most of all, he enjoyed spending time with his family especially his wonderful grandchildren.

He was a member of Masonic Lodge No. 108 of Penn Yan; a percussionist with the Penn Yan Summer Band; and a retired member of the St. Joseph's Alumni Drum & Bugle Corp.

Calling hours will be held Friday (June 26th) from 4-7pm at Weldon Funeral Home, 102 E. Main St., Penn Yan; followed by a Masonic Service at 7:00pm at the funeral home in his memory

A Funeral Mass will be held at 11am on Saturday (June 27th) at Hobart Chapel in Geneva, with a reception to follow at The Scandling Center, Hobart.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in his memory to the Keuka Comfort Care Home, Glioblastoma Foundation, or Hope Walk of Yates County.

Condolences and remembrances of Tom may be offered to the family in his guestbook online at www.WeldonFuneralHome.com