Bruce Smalley

Belmont, NY - Bruce Smalley passed away on February 23rd at the Wellsville Manor after a long illness.  Bruce is survived by, Sally, his loving wife of 67 years,  4 children:  Fred (Julie) of Levan, UT; Bob (Laurie) of Houghton, NY; Percillah (Mark) Woodard of Brockport, NY; Carol (Bill) Tompkins of Belmont, NY, 11 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren. 

Bruce was born in the Belgian Congo to his missionary parents, Ray and Ruth Smalley.  He served his country as a US Navy Corpsman and earned a BS Degree in Animal Husbandry at Michigan State University, where he met the love of his life, Sarah Ann Schaal.  Bruce and Sally married in 1951 and then attended the Hartford Seminary Foundation and the University of Arkansas to prepare for missionary service in the art and science of dry land farming.  

 Bruce and Sally served for 10 years in Southern Rhodesia/Zimbabwe Africa. While there Bruce helped introduce multiple programs to promote agricultural systems to improve the lives of the people they served.

They returned to the United States with their four children in 1963.  Bruce was hired by Cornell University as a 4H agent serving Erie County, NY, where he was initially tasked to develop the 4H Pilot Program in intercity Buffalo.

In 1972, Bruce and Sally relocated their family to Allegany County.  Here, Bruce served as the Cooperative Extension 4H Agent until his retirement in 1989. 

As an active member of the United Methodist Church in Belmont, Bruce was a dedicated servant of his Lord and Savior.   He was a loving family man with boundless interests.  He was an active leader, member or participant in the Belmont Rotary, Allegany County Bird Club, Compeer Program, Allegany County Fair Board and Youth Council Board.  Bruce was an avid outdoorsman, amateur ornithologist, woodworker and photographer.

Please join us to celebrate Bruce’s life with this family and friends at the United Methodist Church in Belmont on Saturday, March 10th at 11AM, with a reception to follow. To leave online condolences please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com