Everett Walter Smith of New Windsor, entered into rest on Thursday, December 20, 2023. He was 81.
Born in Bay Shore, NY on July 17, 1942, he was the son of the late Ruth Adeline Smith and Walter Ockers Smith. Everett grew up in West Sayville, Long Island where he shared an amazing childhood through young adulthood, with close family and the best of friends.
His passion for newspapers began in 6th grade when he became editor of their new classroom newspaper! At twelve years old, he began his career in the newspaper business as a newspaper carrier for the Long Island Press; a job where he found a wonderful mentor and many adventures. Everett worked his way up to circulation manager, District Manager and then Zone Supervisor.
Everett was a graduate of Sayville High School but valued “on the job experience" rather than a classroom setting.
Everett enlisted in the Army Reserve in 1964; receiving his basic training in Fort Polk, Louisiana, followed by training for the Army Medical Corps at Fort Sam Houston, TX. He served with the 42nd Infantry Division as a Senior Medical Specialist, until he was honorably discharged in 1970. He was also proud to be a top ranking sharp shooter.
After the army, Everett moved to Mahopac, NY where he became Circulation Manager of The Putnam County Courier, and then Circulation Manager for the Evening News in Newburgh.
In 1978, in the basement of his home, Everett created his own weekly newspaper, The Sentinel. He was president and publisher from 1979 through 2022. He started the E.W. Smith Publishing Co. and in later years, published The Orange County Post. Everett also formed Sentinel Printing Services in 1993 and became publisher of The Senior Gazette in 2011.
Everett always dreamed of owning a family business, which came true as his children were employed and worked with him from diapers to adulthood! His wife Mary also worked at the paper.
Everett loved using “the power of the press” to serve his community. From helping a single mom find a place to live, to getting New Windsor its own zip code, Everett jumped at every opportunity.
He served on the Board of Directors of McQuade Children's Services for 20 years, served on the New Windsor Ethics Board, was a past Chairman of the Putman County Chapter of the American Red Cross, a member of the Advisory Committee of the Orange County Chapter of the American Cancer Society, charter member of the New Windsor/Cornwall Optimist Club and honorary member of the New Windsor Volunteer Ambulance Corps…and proudly, the list goes on.
As a five-time cancer fighter, Everett enjoyed participating and supporting the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life in Newburgh and was chosen to be a Grand Marshall of Ceremonies.
Mentoring the many young workers who started their first jobs at The Sentinel was one of Everett’s passions. He always wanted to give back and share what his mentor, Mark Lessner, had given to him. Everett always made sure to impress the importance of hard work and perseverance.
Everett was very proud of being one of the founders of The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor in New Windsor, NY. Everett, General Don Hughes, Veteran Joe Farina and Senator William Larkin were called the Genesis group. The four men worked for eleven years to establish and bring the Hall of Honor to New Windsor. Everett appeared on The Huckabee show to promote the Hall.
The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is the only facility in the nation dedicated to collecting, preserving and honoring more than 1.7 million service men and women who received a Purple Heart.
Among Everett’s many accolades, (we would always joke that there was never enough wall space for all his plagues,) a couple of Everett’s proudest were the NYS Legislative Resolution citing, “dedication shown to benefit others,” and to be one of the first recipients to receive the 1st Annual Genesis Legacy Medal.
Everett loved boating on Fire Island with his kids and extended family. He loved his daily two-mile walks, convertibles, politics and mashed potatoes. Most of all, he loved the people in his life and the smell of a newspaper hot off the press.
Everett is survived by his wife: Mary Luce Smith; children: Debra Van Regenmortel and husband Jay Van Regenmortel of Goshen, Steven W. Smith and wife Cynthia Smith, Michael E. Smith of New Windsor; and grandchildren: Matthew Van Regenmortel and Angelo Yannone and his wife and children. He is also survived by his sister: Pauline Scharpf of Ronkonkoma, NY; and nephew: Jeffrey and wife Gabi Scharpf of Brookhaven; nephew: Eric and wife Sheri Scharpf of Aquebogue; and his niece: Kristin and husband Bill Von Eiff of Greenport; and many cousins and friends.
A church service will be held on January 6th at 11 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, 30 Goshen Ave., Washingtonville, NY 10992, followed by visitation at Quigley-Sullivan Funeral Home, 337 Hudson Street, Cornwall-on-Hudson, NY 12520 from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Burial will be at Union Cemetery, Sayville, NY at a later date. Please visit www.quigleybros.com for updated information.
In lieu of flowers, please send a donation to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor, PO Box 207, New Windsor, NY 12553.