Lawrence Nelson "Grandpa Larry" Smith Ph.D. age 89 of York, New York, died peacefully at home, surrounded by his loving family, on Thursday September 2, 2021. He was born the son of Nelson and Rella (Thomson) Smith on January 30, 1932, in Dansville, NY. A graduate of York Central School, he was a member of the Cornell University Class of 1953 and earned his Masters and Doctorate degrees in agricultural economics from Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana in 1972. He married Catherine Joan Austin on January 17, 1954.

He began working on the family farm in 1945 and then founded Lawnel Farms in 1962 with his father. After earning his graduate degrees, he taught economics at SUNY Geneseo before returning to work on the farm full-time. He was a longtime member of the Covington United Presbyterian Church, where he was active in the choir and bell choir as well as a member of the session for several years. Larry Smith loved his community dearly and will be remembered for quietly, generously, persistently giving back to that community.

He is survived by his three sons, Marc Smith of Seneca Falls, Andrew (Susan) Smith of York and Adrian (Lee Weiskott) Smith of New York City; four grandchildren: Kirsty (Tim) Northrop and Amos (Stephanie) Smith both of York, Alexandra (Jordan) Janiszeski of Lancaster, NY, and Connor Smith of Boston, Massachusetts; five great grandchildren, Grace and Pierson Northrop, Miss Cora and Grant Smith, and Ronan Janiszeski; two sisters, Lorina Joyce Noble of Pavilion and Rella Jacqueline Bruce of Durham, North Carolina; brother-in-law William (Sally) Austin of Boonton, New Jersey; and many nieces, nephews and dear and loving friends.  He was predeceased by his wife, Catherine and his parents, Nelson and Rella Smith.

No prior calling. Memorial services will be held at 1:00 PM on September 4, 2021, at the Covington United Presbyterian Church, 1701 Craig Road, Pavilion, NY. Private interment, Pleasant Valley Cemetery, York, NY. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Livingston County Hospice, 2 Murray Hill Drive, Mt. Morris, NY 14510, Teresa House, teresahouse.org ; or the Covington United Presbyterian Church, 1701 Craig Road, Pavilion, NY 14525. Arrangements by the John W. Martin Funeral Home, 37 Chapel Street, (Route 408), Mount Morris.  Sign the online registry at: www.johnwmartinfuneralhome.com