Racine – After a fearless two year fight against pancreatic cancer, Donald Paul Smith, 71, wonderful husband of Diane M. (nee: Kopesky) Smith, passed away peacefully at his home with his family by his side on Tuesday, September 11, 2012.
Donald was born in Kenosha on August 4, 1941 to the late Paul B. and Grace E. (nee: Sorenson) Smith. He graduated from St. James Grade School and Mary D. Bradford High School “Class of 1959”. Don went on to earn his business degree from University of Wisconsin – Parkside.
On June 5, 1965 in St. Therese Catholic Church – Kenosha, he was united in marriage with the love of his life, Diane M. Kopesky. Don was an accomplished computer programmer / systems analyst for Western Publishing, Jacobsen-Textron and Keane. Willingly to share his wealth of computer knowledge with others, Don was a former instructor at Gateway Technical College and Marquette University.
With a profound faith, he was a former member of St. Edward Catholic Church; and current member of St. Paul and St. Lucy Parishes. Don was also a member of the Knights of Columbus Council #697 and a retired troop leader of St Edwards’s Boy Scouts troop #248. Among his interests, he was an avid fisherman, hunter and gardener. He loved grocery shopping, canning and especially watching his grandchildren’s activities.
Surviving are his loving wife of over 47 years, Diane; their children, Paul (Michelle) Smith of Lake Zurich, IL, David J. (Leanne) Smith, Mary K (Brian) David, of Racine: Jim (Johanna) Smith of Leesburg, Va and Nancy Smith, of Racine; treasured grandchildren Danielle, Erick and Nate Smith; Jake and Andrew Smith; Troy, Johanna and Tiffany David; Charlotte and Caroline Smith; many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, September 15, 2012 at 1:00 pm in St. Lucy Catholic Church, 3101 Drexel Avenue, with Rev. Mark R. Jones officiating. Private interment will take place at Holy Cross Cemetery, Hwy 32 on Monday. Visitation will be in St. Lucy Church on Saturday from 10 am – 1 pm.
A heartfelt note of thanks to Dr Mullane and staff ; the staff of All Saints 2d cancer wing; An EXTRA special thank you to Pat and Nancy Hubbard, Polly Bose, Kathy Karlsen, Carol Mead, Patty Becker and Sue Krekling and MANY others for all their love, prayers and support during Don’s journey. May God bless all of you!
Bob and Brenda Lepley says
Bob and I are deeply saddened by Don’s passing, We are very thankful we had the pleasure of spending time with him this Easter. We admired his strength.Please know we share in your sorrow . We will miss him
Paul & Mary Schinkowitch says
Mary and family, please accept our heartfelt condolences in this very difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Mark Eastberg says
Dave and Family,
I wish I could be with you today. My sincere sympathies and prayers are with you now.
God Bless, Mark Eastberg
Leah (Andersen) Martone says
Dear Nancy & family,
I am so sorry to hear about the death of your father. My family and I will be keeping you all in our prayers.
Leah (Andersen) Martone