Remembering Clint Smith, A Local Community Leader

With deep regret and sadness, we announce that Clinton S. "Clint" Smith passed on April 26th peacefully at his home. Clint was the motivating force behind the Christeen Oyster Sloop Preservation Corporation and the Ida May project, amongst many other special causes.

Clint Smith was a passionate resident of the Oyster Bay and East Norwich community for over 75 years. He graduated from Oyster Bay High School and went on to be an arborist working his way up to harbormaster. Clint, however, was more than just a harbormaster.

The New York Times described him as "part cop, part sailor, part doctor, part mechanic, part fireman, part scientist." However, to those who really knew him, he was a great friend.

As co-founder of The Christeen Corporation, Clint was instrumental in returning a very well-worn 1883 Oyster Sloop to her original home in Oyster Bay. Christeen was uncovered in Connecticut and bought for $1 by Friends of the Bay in preparation for a complete restoration. As the Christeen Corp’s first president, Clint took on the responsibility of transporting Christeen across the sound to Oyster Bay, but his responsibilities didn’t end there. Clint was a motivating force behind raising the funds and overseeing the extensive restoration work required for Christeen to once again sail the waters of beautiful Oyster Bay Harbor.

Following on the success of Christeen, Clint took on the Ida May project in 2009, which is a recreation from original plans of the first powered oyster vessel that operated in Oyster Bay Harbor from the 1920’s. Ida May is currently under construction in Building J in the Western Waterfront area of Oyster Bay. After her completion, she will also be transitioned to the care of The WaterFront Center and placed into service with the purpose of educating the public about Oyster Bay Harbor, its ecosystem, and waters beyond.

Clint (in a suit firs ton the right) is holding a replica of the first NY State $50,000. Matching Grant that was presented to us by NY State Commissioner of Parks & Recreation Bernadette Castro

Clint's legacy will live on as these vessels grace Oyster Bay Harbor, fulfilling their missions of teaching children and the public about the beautiful marine environment.

Clinton is survived by his wife of 65 years, Ann, his daughters, Jennifer (Andrew) Loughlin and Tamara (Mark) Todd, as well as his grandchildren, Sarah, Heather, Mary and Kelly Loughlin, and Christopher (Megan), Kyle and Laura Todd. According to his family, he is also survived by his brother, Roy (Margaret), his brother-in-law, Robert Pepin, and his "loyal coffee buddy," James Lehmann.

Due to capacity restrictions, Funeral Service at Christ Church on Friday, April 30th, 2021, will be limited. A live stream of the service will be available. Clint's obituary and more information is available Here

Upon Christeen’s transition to The WaterFront Center in 2002, Clint served as her first captain, ensuring that Christeen would serve the community well as a floating classroom and charter vessel. Not only was Clint instrumental in restoring Christeen, but he also ensured that she be recognized in the National Historic Registry.