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Celebration of Life

Lansing United Methodist Church
Saturday July 28th, 2018
5:30pm

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Michael Jay Smith




September 2, 1955 - July 20, 2018


Michael Jay Smith, 62, of Lansing, NY, passed away on Friday, July 20, 2018, at Hospicare in Ithaca, following a hard-fought battle with Parkinson’s Plus. Born in Watertown, NY, he was the son of Carmon and Margaret Cowen Smith. Michael received his Bachelor’s degree from East Carolina University, where he majored in business with a minor in accounting. He went on to earn his MBA from Clarkson University and spent nearly 40 years working in the insurance and financial planning industry—a career which he loved. With him every step of the way was his beloved wife of 28 years, the former Diane Bishop, and their daughter, Leah. Michael was a faithful communicant of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Ithaca.
 
Michael had a true passion for life. The most important things to him were work, family and friends—though not necessarily in that order. He was an avid golfer and, from a young age, a member of Tomacy’s Golf Course in Adams, NY, and more recently, a member of the Vermont National Country Club in Burlington, VT. For his birthday, Michael and his friends would golf the number of holes that corresponded with his age, a feat that he most recently accomplished on his 60th birthday. He also faithfully visited the gym and jogged daily. Michael was a grillmaster, specializing in the art of charcoal grilling. He would often say that he worked hard and played hard and didn’t have time to play games.
 
In addition to his wife, Diane, Michael is survived by his daughter, Leah; mother, Margaret; sister, Sally (Ron) Jerome; nephews, Joe (Kristi) Jerome and Jon (Becca Ring) Jerome; great-nephews, Lukas and Merrick; mother-in-law, Jeanne Bishop; several cousins; and several nieces and nephews on the Bishop side of the family. He was preceded in death by his father, Carmon, and father-in-law, William Bishop.
 
A Celebration of Life will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 28, 2018, at Lansing United Methodist Church, 32 Brickyard Road, Lansing, NY 14882, with Reverend Alison Schmied officiating.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Michael’s name to Hospicare, 172 East King Road, Ithaca, NY 14850, or to the Michael J. Fox Foundation in support of Parkinson’s Plus at www.michaeljfox.org.

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Diane and Lean, I'm sorry for your Loss your are now going through and will experience for some time to come. I'm so thankful I was able to see Mike back in June of 2017 with Marty. The visit for me was very hard based on seeing Mike as he was battling his disease. Marty had warned me or to the visit about how bad Mikes condition was but I told him I would be ok, I actually was not and had to leave and go outside to compose myself which I feel bad about. I will remember Mike in my memories of the good times we had together, studying for our PC license, going to the only concert I have ever been to. The concert was AC DC. I will also remember Mike as a fierce competitor when we both were hired by Dick Bucci. I have28 years of memories with Mike, and I sure you have many or your own, cherish them as I will mine.
Manny and Carrie McCarthy

Manny McCarthy Jul 30 2018 12:00 AM

Diane and Leah. No words can ever express the loss you have experienced. Though Mike and I didn't see each other as often as friends in recent years, that does not mean that the friendship was not alive. I remember him in Cub Scouts when we were younger. How he got me into AC/DC when he pulled into my parents driveway in Adams,car stereo cranking and yelled "Listen to this!!!" Then out of the 7 times I saw the band,5 were with Mike. What a blast I had with him! The few times we went to camp in Boylston might have been a little too much fun. Oh,well. We were younger then.Then at Prudential, I was impressed with his sales abilities and the awards he won. What honored me the most is when he became my sales manager. He, by far, was the most enjoyable manager I worked for in the 27 years I was there. As you both go forward, always remember him as a damn good man! My heartfelt apologies for what you are experiencing. Take care of yourselves and each other.

Marty Timmerman Jul 29 2018 12:00 AM

A Sincerest Thoughts was ordered on July 27, 2018

Expression of Sympathy Jul 27 2018 12:00 AM