Ronald John William Smith

Ronald “Ron” John William Smith of Lake Zurich, IL (formerly of Grand Haven, MI and Grosse Pointe Park, MI) died peacefully on April 16, 2016 in Barrington, Illinois at the age of 83.

Ron is survived by his children, David (Donna) Smith of Lake Zurich, IL; Sharon (Keith) Fraser of Bozeman, MT; Kenneth (Donna) Smith of Beverly Hills, MI; Murray (Dorothy) Smith of Laingsburg, MI; and James Smith of Mesa, AZ; nine grandchildren and one great grandchild.  He is preceded in death by his wife Verna Louise Smith of Grand Haven, MI; and his parents William and Mary Alice (Hannon) Smith of Windsor, Ontario, Canada.

Ron was born on July 5, 1932 in Parry Sound, Ontario, Canada. He graduated from the University of Manitoba in 1955 with a bachelor’s degree in Commerce with Honours.  He married Verna Louise  (“Verna Lou”) Laycock of Foxwarren, Manitoba, Canada, in 1956.  After graduation Ron and Verna Lou moved to Kitchener, Ontario, Canada where Ron worked in life insurance.  In 1959, he moved to the Detroit, Michigan area where he worked as an actuarial and benefits consultant until retiring in 1996.  Shortly after retirement, Ron and Verna Lou moved to Grand Haven, Michigan where he lived until 2013.  

Ron enjoyed sailing on the Great Lakes and travelling the world as well as curling, tennis, collecting antiques and reading.  His children remember him as a father who encouraged them to think on their own and to pursue their goals.

A memorial service will be scheduled for a later date in Grosse Pointe, Michigan.  Donations in Ron’s memory may be made to The Capuchin Soup Kitchen at 1820 Mount Elliott Street, Detroit, MI 48207 or www.cskdetroit.org .