Saratoga Springs, NY - Noel James Smith, 79, of Saratoga Springs died Sunday, November 8, 2015, at his home, with his family by his side. Born on July 29, 1936, in Rochester, NY, the son of the late Eric and Christine (Ruth) Smith, he was the fifth of eight Smith children. A graduate of the Allendale School, he went on to earn degrees in Hotel and Restaurant Management from Paul Smiths College and the University of Denver. A US Army veteran, he was honorably discharged in 1957. He married his wife, Saratoga Springs native Kathleen Dowd in 1968. She lured him to her hometown where they built their life, family and businesses together. Over the years, the Smiths became an active part of the Saratoga Springs business community. In the early years, Noel was proprietor of Noby's Tavern, Yesterday's and the Dining Car Restaurants. Together they opened Saratoga Bed and Breakfast, one of the first in the city, along with the adjacent Saratoga Motel. In 1997, he and Kathleen bought two dilapidated buildings on Broadway and enhanced the city with the restored, award winning, Saratoga Arms Hotel. He was the breakfast chef until his retirement in 2013. Noel greatly enjoyed hosting friends and family breakfasts on Saturdays at the hotel, where much laughter and many stories were shared. He also looked forward to his Tuesday night card games and regular games of cribbage with a few close friends and family. Noel was a Third degree member of Saratoga Council 246 Knights of Columbus and a member of Saratoga-Wilton B.P.O. Elks Lodge 161 for over 40 years. In addition to his parents, he is predeceased by his sister, Constance Elliott and two of his brothers, Evan and Dale Smith. Survivors include his wife of nearly forty-seven years, Kathleen; three daughters, Amy (Caroline) Smith, Sheila (Matthew) Sperling and Ann (Justin) Hiller; seven grandchildren, Everett and Edward Smith, Ava, Grant and Sophia Sperling and Lillian and Elliott Hiller; four brothers, Mark (Colleen), Eric (Marion), Gary (Patricia) and Leal (Sharon) and several nieces, nephews and many good friends. Relatives and friends may call from 4 to 7pm Wednesday (Nov. 11, 2015) at the William J. Burke & Sons/Bussing and Cunniff Funeral Home s, 628 North Broadway 584-5373. Members of the K of C will meet at 6:30pm Wednesday at the funeral home for their service. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30am Thursday (Nov. 12th) in the historic Church of St. Peter, 241 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, by the Rev. Thomas H. Chevalier, pastor. Burial with military honors will follow at 12:30pm at the Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in his name to Community Hospice of Saratoga, 179 Lawrence Street, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866. Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com.