Michael Joseph Smith, born to James Eldyn Smith and Mary Bernadette Smith on January 20, 1939 in Bay City, Michigan, passed away on Wednesday, June 8, 2022 in New Westminster, British Columbia. As a child, Mike survived a serious illness with the support of family, who bolstered his spirits with a continual supply of books that stoked his life-long love of learning, particularly on the subject of world history. He graduated from St. Anthony’s High School in Long Beach, California in 1957 and St. Mary’s College of California in 1963. Mike joined the U.S. Army shortly thereafter and served for two years, including time at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Washington, DC, the SEATO Medical Research Lab, Bangkok, Thailand, and the U.S. Naval School of Aviation Medicine, Pensacola, Florida. He was awarded the U.S. Army Commendation Medal in 1965.
Pursuing his insatiable curiosity about the natural world, Mike earned his Ph.D. in Zoology from the University of British Columbia in 1969, did post-doctoral research and taught at the California Institute of Technology and the University of Nebraska, and eventually took a position on the faculty of Simon Fraser University in 1976. His career was characterized by dedication to his students. He cared deeply about providing them with every opportunity to grow and reach their full potential. Mike retired from SFU having served as both Chair of the Department of Biological Sciences and the inaugural Chair of the Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry. Still exploring in his final four years as a professor, Mike taught pre-medical students at Weill Cornell Medicine in Doha, Qatar.
Mike met Margaret at Simon Fraser University and they married in 1978. Surviving family are his children, Jennifer (Robert) and James (Sara), his newly arrived grandson and namesake, Michael, his sister, Mary Kathleen, and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his four older brothers, all strong characters in their own rights whom he admired for their unique strengths: Thomas, Gerald, Richard and Patrick. The decades-long debate about who among them made the best spaghetti sauce will never be resolved.
The world feels dimmer without Mike’s wide grin, heartfelt stories, and thunderous sneeze. He inspired others through his core values of learning, integrity and service to others. We will remember him on every road trip, in each observed miracle of nature, and whenever we discuss questions of social justice.
No service is planned at this time. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to:
– In Canada: Nature Conservancy of Canada
– In the United States: St. Mary’s College of California, Spirit of Saint Mary’s Annual Scholarship
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Michael Joseph Smith June 8th 2022..
Death notice for the town of: Aldergrove, Province: Colombie britanique