Michael Smith

March 19, 1938 - April 21, 2022

Michael Gilbert Smith passed away at his home in Corona del Mar after a courageous 20-month journey with pancreatic cancer. He was 84.

Born to L Hartley and Catherine Sperry Smith in Pasadena, Mike grew up in San Marino. He participated in sports and Boy Scouts, achieving the rank of Eagle Scout. The family summered on Balboa Island; it was here that Mike's life-long interest in sailing began. He was an active member of the youth-run Balboa Island Yacht Club and served as its Commodore in 1954. 

Mike played varsity basketball at South Pasadena High School, from which he graduated in 1955. He matriculated at UCLA, where he played freshman basketball and was a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity and the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) program. Mike graduated from UCLA in 1959 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration.

Upon graduation, Mike proudly received his commission in the United States Navy. His naval service was primarily spent in the Pacific aboard the aircraft carrier USS Hornet (CV-12), where he served as a communications officer on the Admiral's staff.

Following his active naval duty, Mike began his career with Price Waterhouse & Company in Los Angeles and became a Certified Public Accountant. After relocating to Newport Beach in 1969, he held financial controller positions with several land development and home building companies in the region. Over the past 30 years, Mike was a realtor with the Newport Beach offices of Grubb & Ellis, Prudential California Realty and Berkshire Hathaway. 

Mike was a 73-year member of Balboa Yacht Club in Corona del Mar, having joined in 1949 at the age of 11. He served the Club in a variety of positions including Secretary, Treasurer, and as a member of the Board of Directors. Mike actively raced small boats in the weekly Twilight Series each summer until the age of 81.

Always a sports fan, Mike particularly enjoyed following college basketball and football, and specifically anything played by the UCLA Bruins.

Adored by his family, Mike is survived by his wife of 50 years, Lorrie (Turpit) Smith, and his daughters Allison Smith and Catherine Smith. He was predeceased by his parents and his sister Eleanor Smith Verbeck (SMHS '58).

The Orange County Register, May 20, 2022