Page created by: Jennette (Smith) Kotila

NOEL SMITH

Dec. 25, 1935 – July 9, 2019

Noel Smith, 83, a longtime Clinton Township (MI) resident, passed away on Tuesday (July 9) at Belmar Oakland in Troy after a long battle with Parkinson’s Disease.

He was born on Dec. 25, 1935, a son of the late Allen and Helen Smith. Noel was an avid gardener, dancer, bowler and golfer. He worked as a high-level engineer for the Michigan Department of Transportation, working his way up from early work as a laborer as he earned his bachelor’s degree (Lawrence Technological University) and master’s degree (Wayne State University) in civil engineering. He retired from MDOT after 42 years in 1995. Noel was a member of the Knights of Columbus, a troop leader in the Boys Scouts and active with Clinton Township Senior Center activities for many years.

One of Noel’s great joys was travel, and he spent a good portion of his sixties traveling the globe, from New Zealand to Scotland to Alaska. His other great joy was his family, and being part of potluck meals and milestone events for his children and grandchildren.

Surviving are four children, Steven (Sue), Lynette (Dean) Downey, David (Debbie), and Jennette (Mike) Kotila; 10 grandchildren, Dan, John, Julia, Alex, Izabella, Brett, Henry, Lilly, Brenna and Dylan; and one sibling, Bob (Jackie) Smith. Noel was predeceased by his wife, Rita; brother, Don; and grandson, Evan Gardner.