Obituary of Smiley Summers

Minoa: Smiley Summers, age 65, passed away on Wednesday morning, January 1st, 2025, at North Country Nursing Home surrounded by his family.

Smiley was born on January 5, 1959, in London, Ontario to Basil and Jean (Ireland) Summers. He attended schools in Oneida-London, Ontario, later moving state side where he graduated from George Fowler High School and later attended College to study art for a time after starting his family. Smiley was very active in the art community where is we widely known for his paintings during the NYS Fair in Syracuse. Smiley also was very active with the Tipi Medicine Society of Akwesasne, and was the beginning of his 30 plus years of peyote ceremonies. It brought him closer to his spiritual nature. It was such a positive part in his life after getting sober. A journey that has created many lifelong friends, brothers and sisters. His participation in those many meetings led to the numerous connections and friendships in that community.

Smiley was also a member of the Bear Clan and will be missed by all the many people that were able to know him.

Smiley is survived by his children; Nicole Summers of Syracuse, NY; Misty Summers of Oswego, NY: Sheyanne Summers of Hogansburg, NY: Cody and Natasha Rupert of Canastota, NY. His siblings, Brant and Jackie Ireland of London, Ontario, Kenneth Summers of Potsdam, NY: Kim and Rick Doxtator of London, Ontario; Desiree Cornelius, Eliza Abrim, and Yeyahtakenhas “Sue” and Scott Doxtator of Oneida. Smiley is also survived by seven grandchildren: Christopher “Caleb” and Cadence Benedict-Summers, Austin DeLany, Kyle Conway, Kaia Rupert, Allysis Rupert and Chrystain Murray, one great-grandchild, Beckham DeLany along with aunts and uncles; Fred, Patrick, Vicki and Barbara Ireland, along with several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Smiley was predeceased by his sisters Roseanne Summers, Jackie Doxtator and a brother Basil “Sonny” Summers Jr.

Friends will be received by family:

• on Saturday, January 4th, 2025 at the Phillips Memorial Home, 64 Andrews Street in Massena, NY, USA, from 1:00 to 3:00 pm and 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm 
• on Monday, January 6th, 2025 at the family home located at 1972 Fairgrounds Rd, Southwold, ON N0L 2G0, Canada, after 4:00 pm

Funeral services for Smiley will be held on Tuesday, January 7th, 2025, commencing at 11:00 am at the River Road Longhouse (1035 River Road) in Oneida. Interment Longhouse Cemetery,

Memorial contribution may be shared with the Tipi Medicine Society, located at 485 NY-37, Akwesasne, New York, 13655.

Friends and family are encouraged to share online condolences, pictures, artwork and memories of Smiley, by visiting www.PhillipsMemorial.com and www.elliottmadill.com

Arrangements entrusted to Elliott-Madill Funeral Home Ltd.