Charles P. Smith

Olean- Charles Perry Smith, husband of Marcella May Douglas-Rakocy Smith, passed away at Olean General Hospital on January 9, 2023.

Although Chuck and Marcella were only married 23 years, they enjoyed their life together with their families. 

Chuck was born Sept 30, 1935, at Franklin, PA, the son of Charles P. and Helen (Kristyak) Smith. Surviving are two sisters, LouAnn Fowler of Loveland, CO and Wanda Paxton of Valrico, FL. His oldest sister, Helen, predeceased him.  

Chuck graduated from Lafayette High School, Lafayette, CO. His father was a shoemaker, and Chuck worked during his teen years, helping to repair shoes.  

Chuck was married first to Evelyn Schmactenberger and they welcomed their daughter, Dainel and son, Charles to their family.  

Later, Chuck married Ruth Ann Nolan and adopted her two children, Susan (Joseph) McCleaf and Jodie (Smith) LaRue at the same time they welcomed an adopted son, Devin. 

Chuck moved his family to Florida in 1964, where he worked at various jobs until starting his own business installing blinds in many new apartment houses, hospitals, and hotels. He also started a drapery and upholstery business along with his wife and daughters, Jodie and Susan. 

Chuck was a very active member of the Rotary Club in Florida and he and his wife were also very successful in the sale of Amway.

His work life was cut short because he was hit by a car while crossing a mall parking lot, which damaged his knees.  He moved his family from Florida to Portville, NY in 1991 and built a beautiful home out of a barn that was on property he owned. 

Chuck is survived by his daughter, Susan (Joseph) McCleaf and a son, Devin Smith in Florida. His 2nd loving family were Marcella's daughters: Theresa (Emmett) Morgan, Mt. Pleasant, SC, Ann Rakocy (Dave Moyer), Frostproof, FL and Suzanne (Thomas) Strait, Duke Center, PA. Also surviving are 3 grandchildren that Chuck and Marcella raised: Cole (Amber) Davis, Portville, NY, Cassie (Nikolas) Tascone, Lynchburg, VA, and Lacey (Larry) Cook, Olean, NY. Many other grandchildren and great grandchildren survive Chuck. 

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Guenther Funeral Home, Inc., 1313 E. State Street, Olean. A service will be held on Saturday (February 25, 2023) at 1pm at the Duke Center United Methodist Church. Officiants will be Rev. Dan Todd, Pastor of Hillside Wesleyan Church and Rev. Beth Rosler, Pastor of Duke Center United Methodist Church.  

Burial will be at Rose Hill Cemetery, Smethport, PA at the convenience of the family.