Obituary of "Smokey" Walter G. Greene

“Smokey” Walter G. Greene

Smokey Greene, 93, passed away Thursday, October 19, 2033 at Slate Valley Center in Granville, NY.

Smokey Greene was a legendary performer throughout the eastern part of the US, mainly in New York, Pennsylvania, and New England.  He made over 400 recordings of 78, 45, and 33 RPM Records, 8 Tracks, Cassettes, and CD’s.  As he liked to say, “They all sold way under a million”.

He was born March 10, 1930, to Harris and Ethal Greene in Tinmouth, Vermont.  He served during the Korean War with the US Air Force.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his wife of 50 years, Patricia Matteson Greene; 3 brothers, Henry, Harris, and Franklin Greene; and 2 sisters, Mildred Perkins, and Annie Goodnow.

Smokey leaves behind his second wife, Mildred “Midge” Durkee; 3 sons, Arlin (Susan) Greene, Ethan (Judy) Greene, and Scott Greene; 2 grandsons, Tyler (Katrina) and Jordan (Karli) Greene; 3 stepsons, Foster (Pam), Randy (Rebecca), and George (Darlene) Durkee; 2 stepdaughters, Jacqui (Jeff) Irvine and Joanne (Eric) Richardson; as well as several nieces and nephews.

A visitation for family and friends will be held Saturday, October 28, 2023 from 11am to 1pm at Flynn Bros. Inc. Funeral Home, 13 Gates Ave., Schuylerville, NY 12871.

A funeral service will follow the visitation at 1pm at the funeral home. Burial will be in the Bacon Hill Cemetery.

The last song Smokey wrote, tells it like it is!

        The Swan Song-

For over 70 years I’ve lived to sing

From Canada to Florida and places in between

Bar rooms and Honkytonks, Dance Halls and open air

Anywhere folks would listen, you’d find me singing there

Risqué songs, sacred songs, I have sung’em all

Songs of tragedy and romance when the works all done this fall

Mother songs, Father songs, songs of man’s best friend

The songs of Hank and E.T. I’ve sung over and over again

As the years keep rolling by, I have to face the fact

Instead of closing down the show, I’m now the opening act

The many nights of losing sleep and miles have took their toll

It’s time for me to admit this show is getting old

If I’m reserved a spot in Heaven and I fly up on a cloud

When I pass through the pearly gate, I’ll still be singing loud

I think I’ll do just one more show before I move along

When the Grim Reaper knocks on my door, I’ll sing him a song.