Tommy Smith

John Thomas (Tommy) Smith III, 49, of Norwalk, CT, passed away unexpectedly on November 2, 2023. Born July 22, 1974, in Syracuse, NY, Tommy was a 1993 graduate of Fayetteville-Manlius High School. While attending high school, he garnered multiple academic and athletic honors, including State Scholar-Athlete and two-time All-American recognition for lacrosse. He continued to play lacrosse at the University of Virginia where he was a well-respected teammate and three-time NCAA All-American.

After graduating from UVA in 1997, Tommy moved to the Greater New York City area. He worked for many years in advertising and marketing at ESPN and the Tennis Channel. He remained active in the lacrosse community and was inducted into the Upstate Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 2014 and the Fayetteville-Manlius High School Sports Hall of Fame in 2017. Tommy had an abiding appreciation and respect for the Onondaga Nation, where he played lacrosse in his youth under the guidance of Freeman Bucktooth and Greg Gibson. He was passionate about teaching lacrosse to young people. More recently, he had begun coaching at Ridgefield High School in CT and with the Eclipse Lacrosse Club in New Canaan, CT, roles that brought him immense joy.

Tommy had a great sense of humor and the best laugh. He enjoyed a wide variety of music and sports (he was a Steelers fan since birth), and he loved staying connected with people. He especially looked forward to his visits to the Syracuse area and catching up with everyone. Tommy struggled with alcoholism through the years and was working hard toward his goal of sobriety in his last days. He was the proud father of three wonderful children, Katie, Maddie, and Lila. He is also survived by former wife, Molly Walsh; parents, John and Alice Smith; sisters, Amy Smith and Alison (Mark) LaClair; brother, Eric Smith; nieces Marin and Mae LaClair; large extended family, and many friends who were like family.

Calling Hours will be held on Friday, Novemebr 10, 2023 from 4-7 pm at Burns-Garfield Funeral Home, 3175 East Genesee St. Syracuse. Funeral Services will be held at 11 am on Saturday Novemeber 11th at All Saints Church, 1340 Lancaster Ave. Syracuse.