Bernard "Bernie" "Farmer" George Smith, Sr.

Service Note:  If you would like to travel in procession to Indiantown Gap National Cemetery for the Committal Service, please arrive at the funeral home by 8:45 AM on Tuesday, January 17th.  If you are driving directly to the cemetery, not in procession, please arrive by 9:25 AM.

Bernard “Bernie” “Farmer” George Smith, Sr., passed away peacefully at his home in Palmyra on Thursday, January 12, 2023.  He was born in East Stroudsburg to the late William H. and Ruth P. (Knight) Smith.  He is survived by his loving, long time significant other, Barbara A. Pristello.

Bernie honorably served in the US Army with an overseas assignment in Germany.  After discharge he began his career with Met-ED in the line department in Stroudsburg.  He transferred to become an operator at the Portland Generating Station and then to the operations staff at Three Mile Island as one of the original shift supervisors.  While serving at TMI he was instrumental in certifications, licensure and the start up of Unit 1.  Following the Unit 2 accident he transferred to the recovery team overseeing the clean up process.  In 1992 he and his son, Bernie Jr., started Farmer’s Lawn Care, serving the greater Palmyra area.  He loved to mow grass; he really loved to mow grass!  He was a passionate and avid NY Yankees and NY Giants fan.  He was a collector of coins, stamps and sports memorabilia.  He enjoyed hunting, fishing, the great outdoors and was amazing at the art of pig roasting.  Most of all, he loved and cherished his grand and great grandchildren.  His larger than life smile and hearty laugh will be missed by all who knew him.

He is survived by a son, Bernard G. Smith, Jr. and wife April of Annville; a daughter, Donna P. Mitchell and husband Barry of Harrisburg; five grandchildren, Matthew Lang and wife Jackie, Rachel Bertsch and husband Stephen, Angela Brindisi and husband Chris, Jonas Becknauld, and Jacob Graciani and wife Kassy; nine great-grandchildren, Giavanni, Draven, Autumn, Henry, Bennett, Blair, Peyton, Remy, and Adie; three sisters, Patricia Goucher, Kathy Mazurowski and Colleen Boykin; a son-in-law, David Lang.  He was predeceased by a daughter, Dorothy R. Lang; two sisters, Mary Ann Smith and Jill Smith.

A Memorial Service will be held Tuesday, January 17th at Noon at Rothermel-Finkenbinder Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc., 25 West Pine Street, Palmyra, PA 17078 with Rev. A.J. Domines officiating.  Family and friends are invited for visitation from 11 AM until time of the service at the funeral home.  Burial with full military honors will precede the service at 9:30 AM at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his honor to the American Cancer Society, PO Box 864, Hershey.  Condolences and memories may be shared at www.finkenbinderfamily.com

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