Anthony Charles Smith

Tony was born August 2. 1938, in Detroit, MI to Dorothy (nee Kott) and Anthony John Smith. Tony was their only child. He attended the St. Leo Roman Catholic Church School for 11 years, graduating in 1956.

After high school graduation, Tony enlisted in the Marines, fulfilling his military duty, instead of waiting to be drafted during the time of the Vietnam War, spending 8.5 years in the Marine Reserves. Tony’s working career included cashiering at the local Wrigley’s grocery store during high school, then after his 4-year military experience, he joined his father working for Ford Motor Company. He worked as a tinsmith at Ford until his retirement July 1, 1987.

He was united in marriage to Maryanne Sanders on May 3, 1965. She preceded him in death July 15, 2021.

Tony was devoted to his wife, Maryanne. Each day would begin in the morning working on the daily newspaper crossword puzzle together. They both were heavily involved with the local Lions Club where Tony had served as various officers including District Secretary, Lion Tamer, and Zone Chairman. During this time, he was very involved with the Leader Dog for the Blind.

Memories of Tony include his love of identifying old cars on the road and in commercials. He loved to tell stories of his school days where he and his friends would pull one over on the nuns in the school, in addition to what it was like growing up in Detroit before it got so big. Tony’s sense of humor was loved by the nurses who cared for him and his wife during this past year. He passed his love for making others smile to his children. Tony was extremely proud to be a Marine veteran, but the absolute love of his life was his wife, Maryanne. Tony was with his beloved wife until her last moment and has missed her deeply during these past 6 months.

Tony is survived by his son, Anthony Smith II (Robin); daughter, Tina Ozanich (Greg); brother-in-law, Ronald Sanders; sister-in-law, Lois Maass; and grandchildren, Anthony Smith III, Dean Smith, Ashleigh Hansen, Lucas Hansen, and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to his wife, Maryanne, Tony was preceded in death by his, his parents, Anthony J. and Dorothy Smith, sister-in-law, Joanne Maass, his sister-in-law, Christine Sanders, and his brother-in-law, Bob Maass.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to your local Lions Club.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 1:30pm on Wednesday, June 15, 2022 at Mullins and Thompson Funeral Service, Fredericksburg Chapel with a visitation a half hour before.