Matthias E. Smith, 92, of Fayetteville died Wednesday, September 13, 2006 at the Community General Hospital in Syracuse.

He was born August 30, 1914 in Cornwallville, the son of Albert E. and Minnie A. (France) Smith. He married Charlotte Snyder of East Worcester on October 8, 1937 in Binghamton. She died April 9, 2002.

In 1926 he moved with his parents to Worcester, NY and after finishing his schooling, he joined his father and brother in the operation of the family farm and retail milk business, Smith's Jersey Dairy.

Always active in the Grange organization, he served as Master of Worcester Grange and Otsego County Pomona Grange as well as eleven years as a State Grange officer. In 1959 he was elected a Director of Farmers and Traders Life Insurance Company (a Grange sponsored company) and in 1965 moved to Fayetteville to join the home office of the company in Syracuse. In 1966 he was elected President of the company and served as its Chief Executive Officer until 1979 when he retired.

After his retirement, he and his wife returned to Worcester spending the summers there and winters in Bradenton, Florida. In 1996 they moved into an adult retirement home in Syracuse.

During his entire adult life, Mr. Smith was active in the United Methodist Church as well as the Masonic organization in which he held membership in Schenevus Valley Lodge #592 (a past Master and a past District Deputy Grand Master of the Otsego-Schoharie District), Oneonta Chapter RAM, Otsego Commandery and the Syracuse area Shrine.

He is survived by his daughter-in-law, Mrs. Judith B. Smith; granddaughters, Mrs. Ellen (Keith) Butler and Dr. Jill Smith; great-granddaughters, Allison and Joanna Butler; sister-in-law, Mrs. Leah Wright; cousin, Mrs. Connie Brown and several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his son, Lowell E. Smith and his daughter, Jeanne Smith.

A Masonic Service and the funeral service will be held at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, September 16, 2006 at the United Methodist Church, Main Street, Worcester, NY. Calling hours will begin at 2:30 p.m. at the church.

Interment will follow at the Maple Grove Cemetery in Worcester.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Matthias Smith's memory to, The Lowell Smith Circle of Courage, Central NY Community Foundation, Inc., 500 South Salina Street, Syracuse, NY 13202 or The Wieting Memorial Association, PO Box 472, Worcester, NY 12197.

Condolences to the family may be made to www.skinnerfuneralchapel.com

The E.J. Skinner Co. Funeral Chapel, 155 Main Street in Worcester, NY, is serving the family.