Rodney "Rod" Wiley Smith, Jr.

Rod Smith passed away peacefully on September 5th, 2026, in Myrtle Beach, SC, surrounded by his family after a long and valiant battle with Parkinson’s Disease. He will be deeply missed, well remembered, and honored by all who knew him.

Rod was born on December 5th, 1943, in Rochester, NY, and grew up on Danbury Circle in Brighton with his mother and father, Rod Sr. and Jean, and his three younger brothers, Scott, Greg, and Doug (now deceased). He became a lifelong golfer at Monroe Country Club, where the family were members for many decades, and a lifelong fisherman on lakes across the region, including Lake Ontario, Lac la Blanche in Québec, and seemingly every body of water that held fish. He played ice hockey as well, and was on the team during his time at Hamilton College, from which he graduated in 1965. After college, he took to the family business: Rochester Monotype, a renowned and well-loved typography shop started by his grandfather in 1920. Rod got to work alongside his father and for many years led the company with his brother Greg, managing a team of expert craftspeople until 1995, when the winds of change closed the book on so many such businesses. 

A car accident on a snowy road and a chance hospital stay in Canandaigua led to an invitation to an outing on a doctor’s sailboat in 1966, where he was lucky enough to meet the girl who would become his wife. He and Anne Louise Sainsbury (now Smith) were married in 1967, and enjoyed fifty-nine years together. Along the way, they welcomed Eric (1968), Dana (1974), and Jared (1979), and Rod taught them everything he knew about the pastimes he loved and becoming a man. As his sons grew themselves, exploring the world and making families of their own, he was always there with love and pride and a reminder never to miss out on the things worth loving. 

He was a close friend to so many, from the childhood friendships he maintained throughout his life to the friendships forged over fishing, golf, paddle-tennis, or just parenting that he was grateful to have in every era. His lack of guile and approachable likability made him an easy friend and welcome companion, whether in a fishing boat at 4 a.m. or around a picnic table at a cookout.

He and Anne called Pittsford and Canandaigua (both in NY), home for many years before they resettled in Myrtle Beach in 2022 to be near family and to escape the snow—though we all suspected it was also to access more possible fishing days. Like all who face a debilitating disease, Rod faced tremendous challenges but he struggled admirably in his waning years. The love and unending support of Anne and the help of family members kept him as vital as possible for many years beyond expectation. And he never lost his kind nature, quick wit, and dry sense of humor—something every one of his caretakers admiringly remarked on. 

Rod leaves so many who love him: Anne Smith, his wife. His sons and daughters-in-law Eric & Amy Smith, Dana & Diana Smith, and Jared & Daniela Smith. His grandchildren Eloise, Corinna, Connor, Madeleine, and Luciana. His brothers and sisters-in-law Greg & Susie Smith and Scott & Jacqui Woodsmith. His many brothers- and sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews, great-nieces and -nephews, and cousins. And his group of long-time, loving friends. 

We all hope he’s now sitting in a small aluminum fishing boat on calm northern waters, wetting a line and squinting into the sunrise, just waiting for the bite to start and for news that the Bills have finally gotten one.

A family service for Rod will be held in Canandaigua, NY, later this fall, and while some of his ashes will find their way to the places he loved, he will be interred at Woodlawn Cemetery in Canandaigua with the long ancestry of Sainsbury and Smith family members there.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests people consider a donation to the Michael J. Fox Foundation or the Faces Foundation, both causes meaningful to Rod.

The family would also like to extend sincere thanks to the Brightwater Community and Heartland Hospice in Myrtle Beach for the warm and exceptional care they provided to Rod. 

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