August 22 1955 December 24 2019
On December 24th at the age of 64, we lost a husband, father, grandfather, brother, friend, business man, champion backgammon player, bishop busting chess player and epic storyteller. Dan spent the majority of his childhood living in Ann Arbor, MI. An alumnus of the University of Michigan, an avid Michigan Football fan and the oldest of 6 rambunctious boys (Rudy, Randy, Scott, Baron, Matt), Dan often acted as a care taker, supporting his mother (Joyce Francis) and father (Duane Smith). At age 15 he met his lifelong friend and sixth ‘brother’, Ernie (Mull). An avid reader, Dan found books and story-telling as a way to expand his world. He often referenced lessons learned on how to survive in the wilderness, to hunt, camp, play chess and backgammon. He developed his own brand of storytelling. Funny, often irreverent, and always an advocate for the underdog, Dan found the irony and ridiculousness of life entertaining and an irresistible topic of many conversations. A lifelong learner and problem solver, Dan had an inventor’s mind. Always looking to improve and enhance, he invented a modular fixture system that ensured precise measurement of industrial parts, improving the quality and safety of machinery. He often spoke lovingly and extensively about the science of metrology. He was, without a doubt, a man ahead of his time. A champion backgammon player, Dan played in tournaments, championship matches and ‘on the side’ chouettes. He was part of the southeastern Michigan Backgammon community for more than 30 years and was thankful for the people he met and the long-lasting friendships that were developed. Father of Josh (Valerie) Smith and Sarah (Kris Thorsrud) Smith, Dan lost his first wife (Ann Murphy) and mother of his children to cancer in 2001. Dan and Ann met at the University of Michigan’s Pool Hall where they fell in love and spent 20 + happy and adventurous years together. Fiercely loyal and loving, after Ann’s death, Dan took on life and pressed ahead, raising two wonderful human beings. He opened his home to the friends of his kids and offered a non-judgmental space for temporary regrouping and a steer back home. In 2009, Dan met his second wife and love (Therese Samarco), and together they lived, loved, traveled, built a home together and became grandparents in 2018 (Maya Amelia (Josh and Valerie) Smith) and in 2019 (Bjorn Daniel (Sarah and Kris) Thorsrud). Dan had a remarkably calm demeanor, exceptions being thoughtless drivers and errant raw onions found unexpectedly in meals (he claimed they ‘ruined a great day’). And, after a particularly filling and delicious meal, he coined the term ‘sweatpants emergency’ to describe that universal need for comfort in the face of delightful overindulgence. When diagnosed in March 2018 with a rare and aggressive form of skin cancer (Merkel Cell Carcinoma), Dan underwent extensive treatment. He faced his mortality with hope, acceptance and grace, leading his family through the highs and lows of treatment successes and setbacks. It was only in the last 7 days of his life that Dan bravely made the decision to suspend treatment – the cancer was simply too aggressive and due to its rarity not well enough understood to stop the progression. Dan passed surrounded by wonderful caregivers, the love of his family and the ‘smooth end’ he requested. A gathering is being planned for after the new year. The family requests you share a story/memory of Dan and that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to: · University of Michigan, Rogel Cancer Center Patient and Family Support Services Program: leadersandbest.umich.edu/find/#!/give/basket/fund/317598/tributee/Deborah20L.20Wardell/type/memory · MerkelCell.org: merkelcell.org/join-the-fight/donate/
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Daniel Martin Smith August 22 1955 December 24 2019.
Wm. Sullivan & Son Funeral Directors
Death notice for the town of: Royal Oak, state: Michigan