Nikola Smith

Our father & grandfather never met a lawnmower or snowblower he didn't take joy in trying to fix. Often heard tinkering in the garage, it was filled with glass jars, plastic margarine containers, and metal coffee cans repurposed to hold a wall of nuts & bolts, screws, washers, and other pieces & parts, and the garage always had a blended scent of oil & gasoline, Turtle Wax, dust, and garden fertilizers.
Nikola Smith, age 95, beloved husband of the late Marica Smith (née Todorovich, R.I.P. 2005) passed on April 7, 2024 at Southwest General Health Center in Middleburgh Heights, Ohio, amongst unnecessary and difficult family dynamics, nevertheless, two years later he is receiving the obituary he ever so deserved after his passing.

Nikola was proceeded in death by his parents (George Alex, R.I.P. 1956 & Marija, R.I.P., 1975), and brothers Cane (a.k.a. Alex, R.I.P. 1999), Vasil (R.I.P. 2002), Boris (R.I.P. 2009), and sister Tatijana (R.I.P. 2022). In the early 1950s, he, his parents and siblings set out from what was then Yugoslavia (now Macedonia) to make a better life in America, specifically Cleveland, Ohio. That better life did not come easily but eventually led to his marriage to Marica in November 1955 as well as a long and satisfying career with American Greetings (retiring in 1989), and seeing two children born, daughter Sonia (b. 1956) (Stevo) and son George (b. 1960).
Decades later the family would expand, and his own children would make Nikola and Marica beloved grandparents to Jeon, Brandon (Brian) and Brittany (Jonathan). With his laugh and often sharing tidbits of wisdom about life, Nikola was an honorary grandfather, known as Grandpa Nick or just "Grandpa", to many of their friends, too.

Extended family & friends, we would like to lovingly acknowledge: Linda Smith, Bryan Bostic, Saide Francis, The Todorovich Family, The Petrofski Family, The Sazdanoff Family, The Arnold Family, The Susnjar Family, and long-time neighbors Pat & Joe Waltz, Frank & Jessie Burianek (R.I.P. 2008 & 2007), and twin sisters Ruth & Clarice Powell (R.I.P. 2016 & 2019).

Funeral services and burial were performed by Yurch Funeral Home. Interred at St. Theodosius Orthodox Cemetery in Brooklyn, Ohio.

Much gratitude to the wonderful caretakers Sarah, Josie, Tracie, David, Alicia, and Dusica at Middleburg Heights Assisted Living who made the remaining two months of Nikola's life pleasant and comfortable.
And many thanks & appreciation to the many friends & extended family who reached out in various ways with loving words, prayers, sympathy cards, and sharing stories of Nikola since learning of his passing.

November 5, 2028 will mark what would be Nikola's 100th birthday. A remembrance slideshow and biographical tribute will be posted on this page closer to the date. We invite you to please revisit this page and take part in remembering & celebrating the life of son, husband, brother, father, and grandfather Nikola Smith. ~ Peace to you & yours