Thomas E. Smith

Thomas (Tom) E. Smith, age 89, died peacefully surrounded by family on January 5, 2022. Tom was born on October 20, 1932, in Rockford, Ohio. He grew up in Rockford & Toledo, Ohio and was the eldest of 7 children.  At the age of 18, he was drafted into the army and served our country for two years.

Tom met the love of his life, Irene (Connie) Smith at Pearson Park, in the summer of 1952, while playing ping pong at the shelter house. Tom and Connie were married on December 26th, 1953, in Oregon, Ohio. They were married for 68 years and together had three daughters: Julie, Deanna, and Dawn.
Tom is retired from BP and Marathon Oil companies and was a long-time member of St. Ignatius Church.  In his free time, and in retirement, he enjoyed working in the yard, golfing, and taking drives.  But mostly he enjoyed spending time with his family – especially his three granddaughters. 

Tom was known for his deep love of the game of golf and had many memories on the Chippewa Golf course, including a hole-in-one on hole #9.  Tom and Connie played in the Ma & Pa league for many years at Chippewa.  Tom, as a young man, caddied at the Inverness Golf Club.  He also loved The Ohio State Buckeyes and rarely missed watching the “big game” year after year. 

Tom is survived by his loving wife, Connie; three daughters, Julie Smith, Deanna (Tom) Donahue, Dawn (Todd) Schiavone; granddaughters, Olivia (Ryan) Laberdee, Lindsay Schiavone (Kyle Row), and Hayley Schiavone; and sisters Faye Schultz and Marcia (Jack) Ashton.

Tom was preceded in death by his brothers, Dick, Phil, Gordy, and Bobby.

The family will receive friends at the Freck Funeral Home, 1155 S. Wynn Rd., Oregon, Ohio on Sunday, January 16th, 2022 from 1:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. with a prayer service at 3:30 p.m.  A dinner will be held afterward.  Details for the dinner will be displayed during the visitation.

Memorial contributions in Tom’s name can be directed to the Alzheimer’s Association or the American Diabetes Association.

The family wishes to thank Orchard Villa for their compassionate care.

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