Harold "Smitty" Smith

Harold "Smitty" Smith, 97, passed away May 2, 2024, joining his beloved wife and best friend, Nita Smith, who passed away on May 22, 2016. We are sure it was a joyous reunion.
How do we encapsulate such a wonderful man, wonderful life? Smitty grew up in a loving family in Riverside, Illinois, where his passion for sailing, being on the water, and flying manifested early. Only the loss of one eye as a teenager prevented him from enlisting in the army to become a pilot. He was drafted at the end of the war to process returning service members. Perhaps his uniform was what caught the eye of Nita Creedle when they met "Up North" on a three-day, 50-mile travel pass (yes, okay, it was 200 miles north, but the army didn't find out).
Nita and Smitty married in 1948, and when he got his bachelor's degree, they moved to Manitowoc, Wisconsin for the proximity to Lake Michigan, water sports, and Point Beach Forest. Smitty built his first sailboat/dingy shortly thereafter and captained a variety of vessels for the next 50 years. He was active in the Manitowoc Yacht Club, a lifetime member, and one time Commodore. Nita and he raised 4 children, sharing their love for the water, sailing and "Up North".
His love for the water led to cruising in the Caribbean with his son, Ken, snorkeling, canoeing, kayaking, and swimming at the YMCA daily until two years ago. After moving to Manitowoc, he always live within sight of Lake Michigan, for the past 2.5 years at Angelus Assisted Living.
Since he could not get his pilot training through the army, he took private lessons, earning his pilot's license and flying the "Champ" with the Manitowoc Flying Club. He also loved music, singing in the church choir, the Barbershop group, and several productions by the Masquers. He always had music playing in his home. He and Nita passed on their love of music to their children, a wonderful gift.
Smitty is survived by his brother, Don (Lee) Smith, and his children Ginni (Bob) Schmidt, Christine, Ken (Marise Redmann) and Sandy. He has six grandchildren, Staci, Aaron (Amanda) Munson, Josh, Katie (David) Fitzpatrick, Lia, and Lucas, and eight great grandchildren, Liam, Elijah, Isabella, Robert, Lorelei, McKenna, Evalina, and Owen. He raised quite a "crew". The family will have a memorial service on the lake sometime in the future.
Cremation has taken place, and a private family service is being held to celebrate Harold's life.
Expressions of sympathy can be made to the family by visiting www.lakeshorefamilyfuneralhomes.com
The family thanks the staff at Angelus Senior Living, Holy Family Memorial Hospital, and Holy Family Home Care for their loving care for Smitty.
The Lakeshore Family Funeral Homes, Pfeffer location, is assisting the family with arrangements.
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