Frank Michael Smith

Frank Michael Smith, age 90, of Silver Spring MD passed away peacefully on May 6, 2020, at Georgetown University Hospital from an unknown lung disease. Frank’s family is grateful to all of the dedicated doctors, nurses, and staff who took such compassionate care of him, including facilitating “virtual” visits and medical consultations after in-person hospital visits were prohibited during the global pandemic.

Frank, formerly of the Town of Tonawanda NY, served in the U.S. Air Force from 1951 to 1955 where he received training as a draftsman. He worked as a mechanical design engineer at Bell Aerospace in Niagara Falls for 27 years.  Frank was the beloved husband of 68 years to Geraldine “Gerry” Smith, and the cherished father of Kathryn (Michael) Greenwald and Terrence (Lynn) Smith. He adored his four grandchildren – Mikaela and Zachary Greenwald (ages 21 and 18), and Charlotte and Audrey Smith (ages 23 and 18).

A man of strong faith, Frank was a member of Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church for many years. He was also a member of the Leisure World woodshop. His portfolio of wooden creations included furniture, mailboxes, dog bowl stands, garden whirligigs, and a river paddle boat built to scale. His wooden spice rack design - both functional and beautiful - was a big hit with family and friends. Frank loved: playing pinochle; walking the beach at Cove Point; watching football, science and history documentaries, and “The Curse of Oak Island” on TV; breakfasting on two eggs over easy with crisp bacon, wheat toast, grits with extra butter and cream; and, reading Clive Cussler and John Grisham novels.  Most of all, he loved being with his family and he will be dearly missed.

A celebration of Frank’s life will be held at a future date when it is safe to do so.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory can be made to Central Union Mission at P.O. Box 96763, Washington D.C., 20090-6763 or online at https://donate.missiondc.org.