C. Michael Smith

1932 - 2023

Born in San Francisco, June 26, 1932, to Mary Claire and Francis Smith in San Francisco, Michael attended West Portal and St. Cecilia Elementary Schools. Michael's father died when he was seven years old and with his brother was raised by his mother and grandfather, Charlie Graham. Charlie was an owner of the San Francisco Seals baseball team. Mike and his brother Francis grew up with baseball as the family business during an exciting time in San Francisco. Charlie was a prominent member of the business community which allowed Michael to observe, regardless of the circumstances, how to fairly conduct business and how to treat others with respect.In 1950, he graduated from St. Ignatius High School. He attended Santa Clara University majoring in history and playing varsity baseball. The influence of a Jesuit education remained with him and his brother throughout their lives, with Francis entering the Society of Jesus (S.J.) and dedicating his life to Jesuit education. Francis predeceased Mike in 2021.After graduating in 1954, Mike enlisted in the Army and was an Artillery Officer in the 2nd Infantry Division. Michael then attended the University of San Francisco School of Law, graduating in 1959 and passed the California Bar Exam in 1960. He began his legal career as a Deputy District Attorney in Alameda County. In 1962 Mike joined the law firm of Campbell, Custer, Warburton, and Britton which later became Campbell, Warburton, Britton, Fitzsimmons, and Smith. During this time, he was a Bar Association lecturer and a mentor to young lawyers wanting to hone their skills in trial law.While in law school, Michael met Frances Scudieri at a Dominican College mixer dance. They courted and married in 1962. In San José, they started and raised their family of five children – Maria, Therese, Patrick, Michelle and Monica. Their children were the focus of their lives. They nurtured their talents and guided them. Of note, were two camping trips through Europe. They were immersed in history, art, and food, creating beautiful memories of time well spent as a family. Mike and Fran always found unique ways to demonstrate their values to their children. Frances was an incredible wife and mother. Married for 21 years, Frances predeceased Mike in 1983.Mike met the lovely and accomplished Adrienne Krause and they were married in 1988 in San Mateo. Together they mapped out European road trips often with friends and grandchildren. They created new traditions. Adrienne, a terrific cook, and Michael hosted family Christmas and dinner parties with friends. They attended professional and scholastic alumni events, and celebrated milestones with the grandchildren.After retiring in 1998, Mike combined his passion for learning, history, travel, and nature with archaeology and pursued studies at Cabrillo College and Stanford University. As a TA, he participated in excavations in the Italian/Swiss Alps and closer to home at Año Nuevo State Park. When not on digs, Mike taught classes at the Presidio Archaeology Laboratory in San Francisco.Mike believed that his Catholic education was pivotal to his success and growth in his faith. He paid this forward by supporting his alma maters, the local Catholic schools that his grandchildren attended, and the launch of Sacred Heart Nativity and Cristo Rey San José Jesuit High School.Later Mike volunteered with the Silicon Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross where he was deployed to natural disasters throughout the country to mobilize teams to help others. He also served as a government liaison, where he worked with private sector companies and the county in disaster preparedness. In 2015, he was awarded Volunteer of the Year by the Santa Clara Emergency Managers for his ten years of service to the organization.In every facet of his life, Mike found and created friendship. He valued these important relationships and nurtured them throughout the years. With friends, he fished, backpacked, traveled, worked, and celebrated. He cherished these people - exemplifying to his family the importance of friendship in good times and in trying times.Mike had nine grandchildren and two great grandchildren who he adored and doted on. As they arrived in the world, these children became a new focus in his life. He supported them in all their activities and shared his love of travel and the outdoors with them. Mike loved to hear about all that they were doing and, as with his children, would provide gentle counsel to them along the way.Family and his Catholic faith were the cornerstone of Mike's life.Smith family Thanksgiving was celebrated at "The Cabin" in Butano Canyon where Mike spent summers as a child. Often during the chaos of getting people to the table, Mike would stop the show, with "Hey!", "Do you know how lucky we are?!" This joyful expression, a reminder to us all that we have each other. Yes, indeed, we are so lucky to have had the man that Mike was as a husband, father, grandfather, and friend in our lives.Mike leaves behind his wife Adrienne Krause, his five children, Maria Smith (d-Ronald Renati), Therese Coutermarsh, Patrick Smith (Shelly), Michelle Carroll, and Monica Wahler (Pat). His nine grandchildren, Frances, Patrick, Sarah, and Katie Coutermarsh; Callaghan and Claire Smith; Morgan and Marley Wahler, and Joey Carroll. Two great grandchildren, Bella Pomposo and Callaghan James (C.J.) Smith.A funeral Mass to celebrate Mike will be held November 11 at 10 am at Mission Santa Clara de Asís.In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Santa Clara University Graduate Program in Pastoral Ministries or the Silicon Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross.