Leo M. Smith

Leo was born on March 8, 1916 in Portland, Oregon to Martin and Elizabeth Smith. As a child, Leo attended St. Andrew's Grade School and Benson and Jefferson High Schools. In high school, he was active in gymnastics. Leo met and married Ramona Johnson in 1940. They had three children, a daughter, Naomi and two sons, Stephen and Mark. Their son Mark died at the age of 4.
Leo worked and managed Sandy's Camera Stores for 31 years, until his retirement in 1981. Leo loved taking pictures and has many, many albums to show for it. While working 6 days a week and singing in his church choir, he attended night classes at Portland State University for over 11 years and earned a Bachelor of Science degree. In, retirement, he went to school to become a realtor. He sold real estate for a number of years. Leo also went through the Master Gardener Program and did volunteer work with them.
In 1991, Leo moved from his Portlanfd home to Vancouver, Washington. He enjoyed working in his yard and grafting onto his many fruit trees. Leo loved making dill pickles and all sorts of interesting jams from the bounty of his crops. If he came to your home for dinner, you could expect to receive a jar of jam or pickles. Leo was an avid ballroom dancer and received many awards for his dancing abilities. He was still dancing up until a few months ago. This love of dancing helped Leo earn a position as a dance host on many cruise ships. He was able to travel a large part of the world. His only disappointment was, he never got to the Greek Isles. Leo was the choir director form 1943 until 1952 and had been a choir member for 68 years at St. Charles Catholic Church. Leo was still driving to church each Sunday and singing in the choir up until his death. Leo was fun loving and never liked to be idle. His family and friends will miss him.
Leo is survived by his son, Stephen, his daughter, Naomi Blankenship; his sister, Doris Sittel; his brother, Marty; and 6 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great granchild. Leo was preceded in death by his parents, a sister Isabelle, and his son, Mark.
A recitation of the rosary will be at 3:00 p.m., Friday, March 4, 2011 at Gateway Little Chapel of the Chimes, 1515 NE 106th Ave., Portland, OR 97220-3820. A funeral mass will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday., March 5, 2011 at St. Charles Catholic Church, 5310 NE 42nd Ave., Portland, OR 97218. Burial will be at Mt. Calvary Cemetery,











A funeral mass will be held at 10:00 a.m., on Saturday, March 5, 2011 at St. Charles Catholic Church, 5310 NE 42nd Ave., Portland, Oregon. Recitation of the Rosary, 3:00 p.m., Friday, March 4, 2011 at Gateway Little Chapel of the Chimes, 1515 NE 106th Ave., Portland, OR 97220-3820.
Mr. Smith is survived by his son, Steve Smith and a daughter, Naomi Blankenship;He was preceded in death by parents, a sister Isabelle and his son, Mark .
Arrangements under the direction of Gateway Little Chapel of the Chimes, Portland, OR.