Frank Smtih dies:
V’ville’s pizza man remembered



Frank L. Smith, Jr., who ran a popular Voorheesville tavern that bore his name and centered a village, died on Monday, Aug. 14, 2006 at his home in Boynton Beach, Fla. after a short illness.

Mr. Smith celebrated his 77th birthday just 10 days before, on Aug. 4.

For 35 years Mr. Smith and his wife, Gertrude, owned and operated Smith’s Tavern, known for its award-winning pizza.
"He was the greatest person I ever met in all my life"in all my life," Mrs. Smith said. "I loved him. He created the greatest pizza."

This year, the Smiths celebrated the 50th anniversary of their June 17 wedding.

Mr. Smith was a respected businessman, a faithful friend, and a generous employer, say his former workers, who call themselves Mr. Smith’s friends. They remember Mr. Smith as a great man who enjoyed life.

Each year, Mr. Smith and his wife hosted Christmas parties and summer picnics for employees at his home on Saratoga Lake; in the summer guests went boating.
"I was always treated like family. It was a real pleasure working for them," Tony Gies, a former employee, said. "Frank and Gert were the nicest, most generous people. And anyone would tell you the same thing."

Barbara Vink, who also worked at Smith’s Tavern, remembers Mr. Smith’s mother, Lillian, who, with her husband, Frank Sr., owned the tavern before Frank Jr. Lillian corresponded with hometown soldiers fighting in World War II and donated her collection of letters to the Voorheesville Public Library.
"The letters are available to the public," said Ms. Vink, who works at the library.

John McClelland, who now, with John Mellon, owns and operates Smith’s Tavern, described Mr. Smith as a hard-working, selfless individual who was loved by everybody. Mr. McClelland also said Mr. Smith introduced the best pizza, was well-known in the Albany area, loved his job, and loved people.
"We left Frank and Gert specials on the menu".I loved the guy," Mr. McClelland said.

As well as the menu, Mr. Smith left his mark on the restaurant’s décor. A model-train enthusiast, he put a track and two trains inside Smith’s Tavern to run around the perimeter of the dining room, near the ceiling. He maintained the trains for the current owners after his retirement, and decorated the track for holidays and special occasions.
"Mr. Smith was a long-standing, well-respected member of the community and his tavern was renowned," said Ed Clark, long-time Voorheesville mayor and current New Scotland Supervisor.

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Mr. Smith is survived by his wife, Gertrude (Gert) Sprenzel Smith; one sister, Dottie Wright of New Bern, N.C.; three neices, Sherry Flansburg, Rhonda Flansburg and Jessica Smith; and one nephew, James Smith, Jr. His brother, James Smith, died before him.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday at 10 a.m. at the Fredendall Funeral Home in Altamont. Friends may call on Friday from 5 to 8 p.m. The burial will be in Memory’s Garden, in Colonie.