Michael Lee Smith, age 71, of Auburn Hills, passed away on January 16, 2021. He was born in Pontiac, Michigan on September 12, 1949, and grew up in Keego Harbor. Michael graduated from West Bloomfield High School and served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. He had worked for General Motors and joined the Air National Guard. In 1975, Michael became a Volunteer Fire Fighter with the Auburn Hills Fire Department. He began his full-time career as a fire fighter in the City of Auburn Hills in 1989, and retired in 2003 as the city's fire marshall. In his free time, Michael could be found fishing for walleye and camping. His favorite place to spend time was Lake Margrethe in Grayling, and he has fond memories of his fishing trips there. Michael is survived by: his children Michael (Peter) Smith, Jr., Michelle Smith, Matthew (Cheryl) Smith, Sr., Melissa (Kevin) Lheureux; grandchildren Haley, Matthew, Jr. Nathan, Denis, and Sophia. Also survived by his brothers Glenn (Linda) Smith, Jeff (Late Donna) Smith, and Randy Smith. Preceded in death by his mother Violet and step-father Robert Allor, and his father Maynard Smith. Funeral services will be held Thursday, January 21, 2021, 4 p.m. at the Pixley Funeral Home, 3530 Auburn Road, Auburn Hills, Michigan 48326. The family will receive friends Thursday from 1:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. Inurnment will be at Great Lakes National Cemetery on January 28, 2021 at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Auburn Hills Firefighters Helping Hands www.ahhelpinghands.org.
