Kenneth Albert

Smith

Kenneth A. Smith of Toledo, Ohio passed away peacefully on December 26, nearly 102 years after he was born to Wilbur and Helen Smith. He graduated from Libbey High School in 1934, and in 1946 married Hazel Fischer. Together they had two children, Sue and Bob.
At age 16, he joined the family business, W.E. Smith Construction Company and worked alongside his father and his brother, Les. Although The Great Depression prevented him from pursuing college, Ken quickly learned the value of a dollar and the importance of quality work. Finishing quality work on time and within budget were priorities for every job Ken and Les completed, and those principles yielded happy customers and loyal employees, which kept them in business for over forty years. Ken was also a leader in the Toledo construction community serving as the President of the Toledo Chapter of the Associated General Contractors of America during the 1960s.
In his free time, Ken loved to sail, and at age 16 built his own sailboat. For many years, he sailed on Lake Erie. His love of sailing later manifested into traveling the world, enjoying cruises to beautiful destinations such as Alaska and Tahiti. Ken was also a member of the Barton Smith Masonic Lodge and was recently honored with a longevity award for eighty years of service.
In addition, Ken was a loyal and loving father and grandfather, known for supporting his grandchildren in all of their endeavors; he was a familiar face in the stands, watching a variety of sporting events, recitals, and graduations. He also enjoyed long breakfasts at Cafe Marie with his grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Left to cherish his memory are his daughter Sue (Tom) Schlageter and their children Brooke (Erik) Graham, Brad (Laura) Schlageter, BJ (Jenna) Schlageter, Becky (Jim) McGlynn, as well as Lauren, Ellen, and Maggie Smith, daughters of his son, Bob Smith. Also surviving are his sister-in-law, Annette Smith, his daughter-in-law, Patty VanShaik, niece Shelley (Dick) Jackson, nephew Rich (Kate) Elwell, and niece Jan Elwell, as well as eight great grandchildren: Colin, Caleb, Callie, Samantha, Vivian, Boden, Reagan, and Teddy.
Ken was preceded in death by his beloved wife of forty-seven years, Hazel, his son Bob, his parents Earl and Helen, his sister Mildred Elwell and her husband Rich, his brother Lester, his niece Carole, his nephew Jeff, and his dear friend, Margie Karr.
Although Ken was careful with his words, he was bold with his message; he valued integrity, morality and honesty, and lived his life by those principles. Most of all, Ken was a person to whom family was more important than anything. He will be dearly missed by all.
Thank you to Hospice of Northwest Ohio and Swan Creek Retirement Community for their loving comfort, generous care, and genuine concern during Ken's time as a resident, and in particular, during his final days.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Hospice of NW Ohio or to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research.
A celebration of life will be held at Ohio Living Swan Creek at 5916 Cresthaven Lane in Toledo on Saturday, December 30th at 11:00 a.m. Arrangements entrusted to the Foth-Dorfmeyer Mortuary. www.fothdorfmeyer.com