Obituary of Maurice G. Symonds

Woodhull, NY | Maurice G. Symonds, 80, of Chapin Road, Woodhull, passed away on Sunday, April 5, 2015 at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester. Born in Smyrna, NY on December 27, 1934, Maurice was the son of Waldo O. and Margery K. Husted Symonds. They moved to Woodhull when he was young where he was raised and attended Woodhull Schools. He was a 1952 graduate of Woodhull High School. Following high school, he entered the US Army, serving from 1954 to 1956. On November 13, 1955, he and the former Shirley A. Cox were married in Smyrna. She survives. Maurice was employed at Ingersoll Rand Co. in Painted Post for 13 years as a young man. Following a layoff there, he took up truck driving which became his life's work. He had worked for the Town of Woodhull, driven truck for Keith Paddock & Son in Jasper, spent time with Franzene Construction during a time when they rebuilt the Watkins Glen Raceway and retired after many years of service with the Steuben County Department of Public Works. Maurice was an inspector at Woodhull Raceway for over 20 years. He was also a former member and past assistant chief in the Woodhull Fire Department. Surviving is his wife of nearly 60 years, Shirley Symonds of Woodhull, his daughters, Karen Tillinghast of Cameron, Karla (Roger) Waters of Woodhull and Sabrina (Alan) Matthews of Gastonia, NC, his sons, Mark Symonds of Woodhull, James Symonds of Charlotte, NC, Steven Symonds of Jasper, David Symonds of Rockford, IL, Donald Symonds of Thomasville, NC and Kenneth Symonds (Jenna Gavette) of Woodhull, his sisters, Erma Symonds of North Syracuse, NY, Lois (Robert) Angel of Georgetown, NY, Kay Hoag of Tioga, Pa and Sharon (Jack) Conklin of South Otselic, NY, 25 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Maurice was preceded in death by his brother Keith Symonds and grandchildren, Anthony Tillinghast and Tasha Symonds. The family will receive friends on Tuesday, April 7 from 4-7 PM at the H.P. Smith & Son Inc. Funeral Home, 1607 Main St. Woodhull, NY. A memorial service will be conducted on Wednesday at 11 AM at the Austinburg Baptist Church in Austinburg, Pa. with Pastor Adrian Essigmann officiating. Burial will be in Woodhull Cemetery. Service: Wednesday, April 8, 2015 11:00 AM Austinburg Baptist Church Austinburg, Pa. Visitation: Tuesday, April 7, 2015 4 to 7 PM H.P. Smith & Son Inc. Funeral Home 1607 Main St. Woodhull, NY