Schaghticoke, Rensselaer County Eric John Smith, Jr. of State Route 40 passed away suddenly on February 28, 2023 at home. He was 21. Born in Troy on November 3, 2001, beloved son of Eric and Sandra (Oliver) Smith. Eric worked for Target as a shift manager and trainer. He was a graduate of Hoosic Valley Central School where he was captain of the football team. He loved sports and was an avid Miami Dolphins fan. He was passionate about fishing, especially on the ice and loved fast trucks. He was the kindest soul you could ever meet and wore his heart on his sleeve. He always looked at a person as a friend, not a stranger. His mother shared a memory of him being mouthy after getting off the bus one time. She quickly reminded him that he could not talk to her like one of his friends and joked she would smack him. In typical Eric fashion, he mischievously asked if it would hurt. He only ever asked once. Survivors in addition to his parents Eric and Sandy include his siblings, Rob (Jacquelyn Bowen) McLaughlin of Schaghticoke, Alyssa (Evangelos Fanos) Smith of Randolph, VT and Shane (Bethany) Lee of Detroit, MI. His oldest friend Derek Cipolla and his mother Sue Cipolla as well as several nieces, nephews, cousins and loving family and friends. He is predeceased by his grandparents, George Martin and Marie Oliver of Cohoes and Leon and Barbara Smith of Schaghticoke. Calling hours will be from 3:00pm-7:00pm on Wednesday, March 8, 2023 at Liberty Ridge Farm, 29 Bevis Road, Schaghticoke, NY with a service to be conducted at 7:00pm with Pastor Michael Crandall officiant. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Shriners Hospital, C/O Chase-Smith Family Funeral Homes, 319 Park Avenue, Mechanicville, NY 12118 in loving memory of Eric Smith. Online remembrances may be made at www.chasesmithfamily.com To plant Memorial Trees in memory of Eric John Smith, Jr., please click here to visit our Sympathy Store. Memorial Donation Visitation Wednesday, March 08, 2023 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM Liberty Ridge Farm 29 Bevis Road Schaghticoke, NY 12154 Funeral Service Wednesday, March 08, 2023 7:00 PM Liberty Ridge Farm 29 Bevis Road Schaghticoke, NY 12154