Thanks for all the good memories we created in Florida. Really enjoyed holiday dinners with you and family.

I knew him a very short time and realized that he was a good friend we spoke everyday we spoke about many things especially when he first arrived to america he stated many times the love he had for his new home his wife and his children he was very special and will be missed.

FROM: Danette D’Angelo

It was a beautiful service (I attended virtually).  Thank you for including me in the text so that I was able to join. I could not figure out how to write in any memories; but instead of doing nothing at all, I just wanted you to know that your mom and dad will always hold a special place in my heart.  They were true friends and I have such cherished memories. I always boast about my Jewish friends  Miriam and Fred who loves  to attend my Christmas Eve party (especially your mom) She got such a kick out of it and actually met another “Miriam” at the party and they would always have the best time together; they would laugh and carry on and I always looked so forward it.  In return would love to go to there yearly holiday party! I will miss them very much, but am so grateful to have been graced with their friendship.  God bless them both.

Josh's Eulogy Part 3:

My dad deserved a lot more time on this earth. After numerous health conditions in 2019- a time period where he was in and out of the hospital continuously, our dad finally got to a rehab hospital and started to recover. He fought hard - going through radiation, physical therapy and more. He didn’t quit. And going forward, he would tell everyone who would listen about the time period. Early 2019, where he went to hell and back. And I feel like after all he experienced and went through, I’m grateful Nathan and I got two extra years with him.

And he made it a point to use these last two years. He got to see my Uncle Eli and Aunt Eti numerous times. Old friends from Los Angeles like Moti and Harriet. And going through his phone to tell people about the passing- there were numerous new friends too. People he met at the 99 cents store, or from his assisted living facility who he became close to, by again, chatting them up and talking their ear off. But above all, even though it was frustrating caregiving for him, I am glad we grew closer together in that time. Taking him to a Lakers game, a Dodgers game. Numerous phone calls and check ins more than we ever had before. The occasional lunch at Shiraz or another one of his favorite restaurants. I even texted him photos of me lighting the menorah every night during Hannukah last year- something we hadn’t really done in a while. I’m glad I got so close to him by caregiving for him these last two years. And I am glad we all got to experience more memories with him these last two years. I just wish we all got a few more years.

I love him. I love my mom. And I wish they were still here with us physically, but I know they’ll continue to be with us in our hearts.

Josh's Eulogy Part 2:

He was extremely personable. Almost to an annoying degree. I don’t know how many times a plan to make a movie or a doctor’s appointment on time was cut close just cause our dad decided he wanted to chat up a stranger. That’s why he loved poker so much. It was another outlet for the long-winded stories he exhausted his kids with a little too many times. He moved at a slower pace than everyone around him. A much slower pace. Growing up my mom, brother, and I would continually have to go and grab him because he wandered off somewhere or he was chatting with someone in the store. And it made us angry. We gotta be somewhere. We gotta do the thing. And here he was stopping to smell the roses every second. A new sight to see. A new person to talk to. But in his way, it’s how he enjoyed life. Everything was about the journey and not the destination - a quality that I want to try and get better at learning myself. Poker was about the people and the conversations, not the money. Fishing was about the relaxation and time with family, not actually catching anything. I think the only time the destination every really mattered for him was about the Lakers- they needed to win, end of story.

I know I inherited my love of the outdoors, adventuring, and traveling from him. Going through old family photos, I don’t how many of them specifically are reserved for Yosemite National Park over the years. And always with different people - Salima, Raphi, Jacob, my Aunt Evelyn, my Mom, Nathan, and me. He wanted to go back to that park numerous times in life and share it with the people he loved. His love language was quality time and shared experiences, and I inherited that from him.

Josh's Eulogy Part 1:

I think one of the greatest memories of my dad is he is the one who awakened in me my desire to pursue making movies. When I was young, I had an ever-growing imagination, changing what I dreamed of doing as a career with the days of the week. Lawyer, doctor, zoologist, astronomer. With the last one I expressed my interest in outer space to my dad and he showed me Close Encounters of the Third Kind. I don’t know fully the reason why, but everything seemed to make sense for me when I heard those sky tones at the end of the movie. This is what I wanted to do for the rest of my life and my dad sparked that.

Over the years I got to share some small successes with him, like when I won a big award for my thesis film at Florida State (my student Emmy). He never really understood the depth of the work of my business, but he was constantly proud of me and pushed me to keep pursuing my dreams, even if he didn’t fully understand them.

When he lived in Vegas for five years, his biggest point of pride was taking Nathan and I to the MGM poker room. So here we were in this smoke-filled area of a casino, wanting to get out of there to breath some fresh air, but instead we are shaking hands with all these strangers who my dad occasionally played poker with. And they always said the same thing: “Man, your dad brags about you guys all the time.”

My late husband Richard & I shared a great friendship with Haim & Miriam. We spent many days on our boat cruising the Intracoastal.  I remember what a wonderful cook Haim was. We enjoyed the holiday dinners at their home. I will miss him. May his memory be for  a blessing. 


I have many memories of Fred, from watching him volunteer his time to being a band parent throughout my middle and high school years to being accepted as an honorary Smooha when Nathan and I were hanging out or doing school work at their home to sitting at their dinner table enjoying meals to speeding down I-95 to catch an FSU game at the Seminole Club of Daytona. 

But, one of my favorite memories of Fred is when FSU played NIU in Miami for the 2012-13 Orange Bowl. After the game he invited me and a friend back to the hotel room to keep us from having to drive back to Palm Coast in the middle of the night. I didn't know until I walked into the hotel room that there was only one king-sized bed, but we all piled on to rest after an exciting victory. In the morning we all enjoyed breakfast together. 

That's the generosity of Fred. He always wanted to be a helper and to build community, even if it was logistically difficult! 

Fred's impact on the communities I love was huge and I hope to live my life in service to the example he set for love, service, and building community. 

Love,

Tom

So many great memories to share with you. Fred’s loved his family immensely. He told me on a regular basis how fortunate he was to have two amazing sons. He was very proud of his boys and their achievements. 
Ilene and I remember all the holiday dinners we shared together. It was cool when you called Fred His Hebrew name Abba meaning father. Fred loved your mother so very much. 
Always remember the values you received from your parents and live your life to its fullness. I know my dear friend Fred would want you to. 
Love you Fred and may G-d grant you total peace and comfort 
Love 
Lenny & Ilene Marsh

Nathan and Josh - I am so very saddened by your loss.  I always looked forward to talking - and as you know, often debating! - with Uncle Haim.  I remember how surprised I was to learn that my Iraqi-Jew uncle played ice hockey, and I always loved talking with him about sports, politics, or really just about anything.  

When Lisa and I were very young (and Rebecca was still a baby), we were driving with your parents from Florida back to NY.  We stopped in DC and visited the air and space museum.  Because he was so interested in looking around, your dad got lost from the group for what felt like hours!  This was before cell phones, so we had no way to find him!  We did eventually, and I'll always remember how he was just relaxed, having a good time, and taking everything in.  

May his memory be a blessing.

Uncle Haim,

I am going to miss you dearly. I will miss your smile, your positive energy you brought when walking into a room and your kind heart. We can talk Lakers for hours but most importantly, your real passion was family. You spoke so much of what amazing men your kids are and when I had kids of my own, you also wanted to talk about them as well.

I am so lucky to have had you as my Uncle for all these years and will always remember our memories together.

Kate, Lilah, Nora and I will miss you but your spirit will live on with us forever. We love you!

Your Nephew,

Jacob 

Josh and Nathan,
We are so sorry for your loss. We met your dad about 44 years ago in Los Angeles.  In 1982 we owned a fast food business together (Burger Stop) and it was like a marriage. By the time we sold it we were still the best of friends. Years later we moved to Las Vegas and we were so excited when your dad moved here. He came to most of our celebrations and holiday dinners. We will miss him.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. 
Love, Sherill and Shalom 

Uncle Haim I am so grateful to call you my Uncle. You taught me to fish, took me to ice skate, took me to hockey games , traveling in an RV with my brothers. Most of all you were the epitome of kindness, resilience and a great big heart. We will all miss you far beyond words but I consider myself blessed to have your big heart and smile  in my life for the past 52 years. Love to you always, Salima

The last time I actually was with Haim was when I took him to a taping of the TV show called “Little Big Shots “ With Melissa McCarthy. The show was filmed in Burbank within walking distance of where he was living at the time. This show, as any other show, had a long line and waiting period. This give us hours of time together to chat about every thing possible. We both really enjoyed the show and were amazed at the capabilities of these very young children. I want to take them out to dinner after but he already had plans with his sister. I actually got to speak with him on the phone a few times after that and was shocked and surprised to hear when it happened to him. He will be missed!

I was just out of high school and needed help getting my own health insurance. Mr. Smooha got me all set-up. I was always appreciative of his help. I'm sorry for your loss, and my heart goes out to you.

Dear Joshua & Nathan.      On behalf of my family I want to express my deepest condolences for your great loss . Your  father and we ,his cousins ,we grew up together , loving and caring for each other as brothers, sharing life time memories . He is deep in our hearts and will always be.      Eddie & Jennie.     Israel 

Haim and I were always close.   We grew up on the streets of Bnei-Brak, Israel as cousins that were as close as brothers.    We played together as kids, served simultaneously in the army, and moved to California together after the service.   We even lived together for a time when I was studying at USC.   When I married my wife, Ruth, Chaim (along with my brother Eddie) was one of our witnesses in Vegas!

Our families celebrated the many Jewish holidays together each year and we always remained close, seeing each other frequently.   When Haim moved his family to Florida, the opportunities to get together were fewer, but we always remained in touch.   In recent years, upon his return to LA I am glad we were able to take drives together and visit frequently by telephone.   Haim will be sorely missed and I hope that our families remain in touch.

I always think about the Lakers when I think about Mr. Smooha. I remember there was usually a Laker game on the tv at the Smooha household. He struck me as a very passionate man and had a lot of love for his family. Rest In Peace 

Josh and Nathan,

We were deeply saddened upon learning of Fred's passing.  Although he is gone too soon, the love and wisdom your Dad imparted upon you will last your entire lifetime.  Our condolences are with you.

Josh and Family- I am so sorry for your loss. I know how much Josh loved his dad and how hard he worked to make him comfortable in Los Angeles. I send you all my best wishes and know that his memory will be a blessing.

Nathan and Josh,

I’m so deeply sorry to hear about the loss of your father. He was an Israeli through and through and I remember that notion bringing me so much happiness in our times in college when your parents made such frequent trips up. Of course my favorite memories are the Pesach’s Haim and Miriam would put on for us, making us feel welcome and at home. Their gestures brought so much light to what could be a dark time alone and in a new city celebrating the holidays. They did it without asking and they delivered with love. I’m sending you so much love through this difficult time - I know he’s giving your mom the biggest hug. May his memory be a blessing 🤍

Nathan and josh,  losing someone we love is not easy, but knowing that we have been able to be part of the  life has been a blessing.
I am happy  to have been part of it.
Haim will be terribly missed  and i will cherish the memories i had with him. 
My condolences to both nathan and joshua and i  will always be here for you both. 
Love Aunt Malka.

Oh Josh, so very sorry about your Dad.  I feel sure that having you in his life so actively during  these last years really advanced his quality of life.  While I didn't know your Dad, I do know you  and that you will get through this difficult time.  Let your friends fill that huge hole left by the loss of a parent.   Sending you love and strength.


Haim was an amazing man.  He had so much knowledge about so many different things and always willing to share it. 
I was lucky enough to touch base with him when he moved back to the Los Angeles area and I even took him to a couple of tv show tapings.  And a couple of meals near his residence were included with hours of conversations.
I will miss you Haim!

I was lucky to be welcomed every year to the Passover seder that Haim and Miriam hosted with Josh and Nathan at Florida State. Those seders were joyous and open to anyone who wanted to share in them. I'm so grateful to have had that time with Haim and his family. He never let anyone feel like a stranger and neither does Josh. All my love to Josh and the rest of the family. זכרונו לברכה

OBITUARY

Fred Haim Smooha

11 October, 1945 – 27 January, 2021

Valley Funeral Home

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