Nobody loved flowers, dogs, and being outdoors more than George Smithers, who died unexpectedly on Oct. 12, 2024 at the corner of Freeman and Bradford streets in Provincetown while out walking. The cause was a heart attack. He had turned 61 two days earlier.
George Edward Smithers was born on Oct. 10, 1963 in Ogdensburg, N.Y., the son of George Reese and Elizabeth Convoy (O’Donoghue) Smithers. He grew up there, attended Herkimer College, and lived in Utica and Cooperstown before spending 15 years in Florida working as an apartment complex manager and interior designer, including designing shop windows for businesses such as Ethan Allen.
He settled in Provincetown in 2004, where he met and later married Kevin H. Clayton. For 20 years, he helped friends in Provincetown and Truro care for their homes, gardens, and pets, and his optimistic spirit, quick sense of humor, and gentle strength made it possible for everyone around him to thrive.
“What are we going to do without him?” was a frequent reaction to news of George’s death. It did not simply mean “How will all this work get done?” His ready smile, easy laugh, and generous heart meant people could depend on him, and he never let them down.
Kevin’s family warmly embraced George and celebrated their marriage; together, they became the much-loved dads to Kevin’s son, Justin, and his wife, Janice — and the happily devoted granddads to Justin and Janice’s son, Bradley.
George had friends up and down the East Coast, from Cape Cod to New York to Key West; he considered them part of his chosen family.
George and Kevin were devoted to their dogs, especially their Shar Peis, three of which (first Kokoa, then Oliver, and now, Jackson) brought great joy to their lives.
George had an almost magical ability to understand, communicate with, and motivate pooches, and he always had special biscuits in his pockets; Outer Cape canines could not contain their excitement when they saw him approach.
George was happiest outdoors — he loved an open sky, a spectacular sunset, and the beaches and dunes of the Cape. He and Kevin traveled and often lived in a motor home that kept them “on the ground.” Gardening was another passion: carefully tended plantings, elegant window boxes, beautiful flowers that seemed to last far beyond their season, and gorgeous landscape designs were his signature.
George is survived by his husband, Kevin Clayton of North Truro; their son, Justin, daughter-in-law, Janice, and grandson, Bradley Rintz, of Austin, Ark.; his stepmother, Lorraine Smithers of Ogdensburg, N.Y.; his brothers, Gregory Smithers of Canton, N.Y., Cory and wife Karen Smithers of Canton, N.Y., and Mark Smithers of Ocala, Fla.; his nephew and nieces, Kurtis, Taylor, and Kylie Smithers of Ogdensburg; and three great-nieces, Genevieve, Adeline, and Brynn.
The Nickerson Funeral Home in Wellfleet is assisting the family, who will hold a celebration of George’s life early next summer.
In lieu of flowers, contributions honoring George can be made to the Carrie A. Seaman Animal Shelter at 5 Sandy Hill Lane, P.O. Box 1374, Provincetown 02657 or at casasanimalshelter.org.
