Joni Smith of Babylon, New York, and Palm Harbor, Florida, passed away peacefully on August 20, 2026, surrounded by the love of his family.

Born to Irving M. Smith Jr. and Loel (Tookie) Ketcham Smith, Joni grew up alongside his brother, James K. Smith Sr., and his sister, Linda Tobia. Family was the foundation of his life, and the bonds he shared with them remained strong throughout the years.

Joni dedicated more than 50 years to the transportation industry, spending his career with Inter-County Motor Coach, Inc. and John Bosch Bus Corp. Through his work in school bus, transit, and motor coach operations, he earned the respect of colleagues and friends alike for his dependability, work ethic, and unwavering commitment to serving the communities he loved.

The greatest joy of Joni’s life was his family. He shared a loving marriage of 48 years with his wife, Sally (Underhill) Smith, and together they built a life filled with love, laughter, and devotion. He was a proud father to Thomas W. Smith and Joni I. “Jay” Smith, whom he raised with the values of honesty, hard work, and compassion that defined his own character.

Joni was also a devoted grandfather to Emma Smith, Kenzie Smith, Caleb Smith, Addison Smith, and Madelyn Smith. He took tremendous pride in each of them and cherished every moment spent with his grandchildren.

Those who knew Joni will remember his gentle nature, sense of humor, and genuine kindness. He had a remarkable ability to make people feel welcome, valued, and respected. Whether through his work, his friendships, or his family, he touched countless lives and left a lasting impression on everyone he met. Simply put, Joni was a true gentleman, a class act, and a standup guy.

Joni will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing him. His legacy of love, humility, integrity, and dedication will live on through the many lives he touched and the family he cherished.