Henry R. Smoke, Jr., age 88, of White Lake, passed away Sunday, December 5, 2021, at his home. Left to cherish his memory are his loving wife, Therese; his three children: Mary Therese (Gary) Pilarski; Anne Marie (Bailey Matsuda) Smoke; and Rick (Amy) Smoke; and his three grandchildren: John Pilarski, Hannah (Jake Asbury) Pilarski, and Thomas (Julia Anderson) Pilarski.
Henry was born July 3, 1933, in Detroit, the son of Mr. & Mrs. Henry and Florence (Kozlowski) Smoke.
Henry and Therese were married on September 9, 1961 and shared sixty wonderful years together. Henry proudly served his country in the United States Army from 1953 until 1955. Upon his honorable discharge, he received his Bachelor of Science degree and teaching certification from Eastern Michigan University. Henry worked as a teacher of Biology at Addison High School, and as a teacher of Art, Math, and Science at Boysville, formerly in Macon, Michigan throughout the 1970’s. Henry eventually became an investigator for the Food and Drug Administration from which he retired in 1985. In 1986 he and Therese move to North Carolina to enjoy their retirement. They returned to Michigan in 2015 to be close to family.
Henry enjoyed spending time in nature. He loved fishing and bird watching, and he was a certified Hunter Safety Instructor committed to the safety of future generations of outdoorsmen. He was an active ten-year volunteer at The North Carolina Arboretum where he was honored for his service. Henry also loved to draw and paint, and he was a gifted carver and woodworker. Mostly, Henry loved his wife and children, and he cherished time with his three grandchildren. He was a wonderful man who will be missed by many.
Henry was preceded in death by his parents, and his brother, Bruno Smoke, II.
A Memorial Mass will take place at 11 a.m. on Saturday, December 18, 2021, at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 9086 Hutchins Road, White Lake, Michigan 48386. In lieu of flowers, those desiring may consider memorial contributions to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, the World Wildlife Federation, the Audubon Society, or the Paralyzed Veterans of America.
