Sherman Smoke

Mr. Sherman P. Smoke, 70, of 365 McGee Road, Hogansburg, died Monday (March 3, 2008) morning in the emergency room at Massena Memorial Hospital.  He had been in failing health for the past 8 years.

He was born July 19, 1937 in Malone, the son of Louis Papineau and Ruth Smoke.  He attended St. Regis Mohawk and Bombay schools.  He also attended the American Barber School in Rochester.  He served as a private in the US Army from December 16, 1954 until his discharge on February 5, 1957.  While in the Army he served in Germany.  He married Barbara A. Lawrenz on November 23, 1957 at the Immaculate Conception Church in Rochester.  They lived in the Rochester area for many years, returning back to Hogansburg in 1997.

He was an ironworker with Local #33 in Rochester for many years.  He was also a self employed tree climber and sheet metal worker.  He also worked for the Ontario Tree Company and the Monroe Tree Company, both in Rochester.  He was a member of the Andrew W. Cook American Legion Post #1479.   He made gustoweh’s, which are Iroquois Head Gear.  When he was younger, he enjoyed playing bingo.  He was a regular handyman, who always enjoyed working on small engines, chain saws, motors, and weedeaters.  He enjoyed going to yard sales, playing cards, and listening to fiddle music.

Sherman is survived by his wife, Barbara; 7 children, Gregory and Barbara Smoke, Hogansburg; Sherman and Shanna Smoke, Oakfield; Leah Smoke and Jimmy Sellers, Hogansburg; Laurie and Richard Bennett, Oakfield; Lorna Smoke, Hogansburg; Jeffrey and Maggie Smoke, Tonawanda Reserve; Marvin and Renee Smoke, Tonawanda Reserve; by 18 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren; a half sister, Mary Rose Honyoust, Onondaga Reserve; a half brother, Kenny Papineau, Cornwall, Ontario; an uncle and his wife, Carl and Vivian Smoke, Snye, Quebec; an aunt and her husband, Hattie and Joe Nelson, Oka, Quebec; and by many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was predeceased by a half brother, Jerry Papineau and a half sister, Dorothy Dixon.

Friends called Tuesday and Wednesday at the Donaldson Funeral Home, Massena.  Funeral Services are being held on Thursday, March 6, 2008 at 11:00 AM at the Mohawk Nation Longhouse.  Spring burial will be on the family property.

Memorial Contributions may be made to the Mohawk Council Ambulance, American Heart Association, or the American Diabetes Foundation.

Condolences may be made online at http://www.donaldsonfh.com