Obituary of Michael Christopher Smith

Michael “Mikey” Christopher Smith Mikey retired to paradise to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Sunday, February 26, 2023. He loved his family and friends who would agree that he was the life of a party. He married his best friend and love of his life Ella “bear” and he absolutely loved his rescue dog Finny. Mikey had an awesome sense of humor and a charming personality. He was the most genuine, generous and respectful man. He always strived to be a godly man/husband and it showed in his daily life. His work ethic was extraordinary. He loved being a firefighter and was proud to serve our community. He believed to do things right the first time, the “correct way”. Mikey was a man of many gifts. He was a skilled craftsman and wasn’t afraid to take on any projects around the house with his father, Don. He loved taking care of his lawn and house. Everything he touched was done to perfection. He was a humble and a simple man who hated technology, family and friends knew him as Johnny Lawrence from Cobra Kai. He only asked for “a nice sunny day” and “a goodnight sleep” because it’s “not too much to ask for”. Mikey loved to get a bite to eat with his wife and walk Finn after dinner. He loved pizza, boxed “cabernet sauvignon” and hanging out with “the kids” (Marta, Levi, and Johnny) watching cheesy horror movies and sitting at a campfire. He shopped at Plato's closet and Salvation army and he was proud of that. He was a huge Steelers fan and loved watching football with his cousins. While working out he would always listen to 80s music and hair bands. His favorite movies were Goodfellas, and the original Halloween. His brother Dave, cousins and friends loved to exchange movie lines for hours on end. He loved Polish food and enjoyed “poops” by his mother- in- law; travel, hiking, camping, and the beach. God gave him an extraordinary strength to fight his disease. In all of it, he never complained and was an inspiration to all, always making sure that Ella was OK to the end. Special thanks to: Pastor Jim Hodge from HCC for being a great Shepard and walking through this dark valley with Mikey and Ella, Tim Keller and Dr. Charles Stanley for their encouraging sermons that provided strength in the time of trouble, Dr. Allison Winter at the Cleveland Clinic, and Dr. Symes at AHN St. Vincent among many compassionate nurses and aides at both CC and AHN, The Erie Fire Department for their generous support, Don Smith and Evelyn Smith for their help at all times! Family, friends, and neighbors - we are blessed for the support and prayers we have received. Mikey was preceded in death by his grandparents, Sandy and Douglas Phillips and Patricia Minnich. He is survived by his wife Ella (Kurek) Smith, parents: Donald L Smith (Terry Miller) and Evelyn (Phillips) Smith; brother David Smith and wife Raelynn and their daughters; Emma and Brooke, father and mother-in-law Henry and Dana Kurek, one sister-in-law Marta (Levi), four brothers-in-law: David, Tom, Paul, and John, and many cousins, aunts, uncles, and nieces. In lieu of flowers please provide your support to The Anna Shelter, 1555 East 10th Street, Erie, PA 16511, the Erie Humane Society, 2407 Zimmerly Road, Erie, PA 16506, or the AHN Cancer Institute, 2508 Myrtle Street, Erie, PA 16502. Friends may call on Saturday, March 4, 2023 at The Bayfront Convention Center, 1 Sassafras Pier, Erie, PA 16507 from 12:00 (noon) until the time of the Funeral Service at 4:00 p.m. Private interment. All arrangements were handled by the Dusckas-Martin Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 4216 Sterrettania Rd.