Hugh P. Smith of Warwick passed away on April 9, 2025, at home surrounded by his loving family. He was 74 years old.
Hugh was born on March 5, 1951, in County Cavan, Ireland, to Nicholas and Kathleen (nee Sharkey) Smith
Hugh came to New York in 1969 playing Gaelic football. He was captain of his team winning the Mullagh Minor Cup that same year and to this day continued to be an avid football fan.
In 1975, he went to Alaska to work on the world-famous pipeline where he stayed until its completion in 1978.
Upon returning to New York, he resumed his role as a union carpenter and eventually Shop Steward of the WTC with Local 608 (presently local 157). He was proud to have worked for 27 years at the World Trade Center in New York City, until the buildings collapsed in the 9/11 attack. He then worked at the clean-up for the year following until ill health forced his retirement.
Often dubbed the Mayor, he was a very outgoing and social character and a long-time member of the Cavan P&B Association of New York. He was named “Cavan Man of the Year” in 2012.
His warmth, humor and generous spirit will be sorely missed by all that loved him.
Hugh is survived by his wife Bonnie (nee Finnegan) Smith, his daughter Margaret Mary Canjura and her husband Marlon of Warwick and son Nicholas Smith and his wife Brooke of Warwick. Also surviving are his brother Nicholas Smith of County Cavan, Ireland; sister Moira Geraghty and her husband Andy of Ridgewood, N.J.; and his two granddaughters, Emma and Chloe. He is also survived by countless nieces and nephews both in the United States and Ireland and his extended family.
He was predeceased by his brother John A. Smith (2023) and his sister-in law Gertie (2007) and his beloved companion Murphy (2016).
Visitation will be on Monday, April 21, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. and Tuesday April 22, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at Lazear-Smith & Vander Plaat Memorial Home, 17 Oakland Ave., Warwick.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, April 23, at St. Stephen the Martyr Church, 75 Sanfordville Road, Warwick.
Cremation will follow and will be private.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Hugh’s memory may be made to Cycle for Survival at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center P.O. Box 27432 New York, NY 10087-27432 (https://www.cycleforsurvival.org/donate).
Arrangements are entrusted to Lazear-Smith & Vander Plat Memorial Home. To send an online condolence, visit www.lsvpmemorialhome.com.