Joshua Phillip Smith
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Published in February 2026
Joshua Phillip Smith, 54, of New City, NY, passed away on January 31, 2026.
He was raised in Syracuse, NY, and graduated from Nottingham High School. He earned his BA in Psychology from SUNY Buffalo in 1993, where he was active in the Sigma Alpha Mu fraternity, serving as Social Committee Chair. He maintained strong, lifelong friendships with his fraternity brothers, who visited him frequently during his long battle with ALS.
After college, Josh worked as a stockbroker and later transitioned to the insurance industry. In January 2010, he founded Vanguard Benefit Solutions, which became one of the most successful independent brokerages in the Tri-State area.
Josh loved music, especially the Grateful Dead, and attended many concerts at Bethel Woods, near his family’s summer home in the Catskills. He was his musician brother Jonah’s biggest fan, hosting a concert at his home every summer featuring Jonah and his band.
Above all, Josh was an avid sports fan, especially of the Buffalo Bills and the New York Mets. For many years, he held season tickets to the Mets. He was also a lifelong Syracuse Orange fan.
Josh is survived by his beloved wife, Sherri Feldman Smith; his son, Benjamin, 20; and his daughter, Madeline, 18. He is also survived by his brother, Jonah; sister-in-law, Elizabeth; nephew, Isaiah; and his parents, Sandra and Malcolm Smith.
Funeral Services will be held at Temple Beth Sholom, 228 New Hempstead Road, New City, NY, on February 3 at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Sharon Gardens Cemetery, 273 Lakeview Avenue, Valhalla, NY, 10595.
Contributions in Josh’s memory may be made to Compassionate Care ALS (CCALS.org).