Touro Fraternal Association honors longtime member

CRANSTON – Michael D. Smith, a member of the Touro Fraternal Association’s Board of Directors for the past 35 years, was honored as the association’s Man of the Year at a dinner meeting in Touro Hall on Sept. 20.

Smith joined Touro in February 1984 and has been active ever since, serving as a past lodge president and a current director, while volunteering to organize and serve as a grill master at numerous events.

Touro selected Smith as Man of the Year not only for his efforts within the organization, but also for his good deeds as the founder and owner of Shalom Memorial Chapel, in Cranston. When 11 people were tragically murdered at a Pittsburgh synagogue in 2018, Smith volunteered to assist with the funeral arrangements and to console the families. He also helped out after 100 people perished in the Station nightclub fire in West Warwick in 2003.

“My involvement with Touro is an extension of how I live my life in service to others,” said Smith.  “If there is a call to action, I am there.”

Smith served his nation with a 21-year military career, including 3½ years in the Navy and then part-time duty in the Air National Guard.

Smith worked at Sugarman funeral home, in Providence, before becoming a licensed funeral director and registered embalmer. He founded Shalom Memorial Chapel in 1999. Mostly retired, his son Adam is now the director of Shalom.

A native of Providence, Smith and his wife, Marilyn, have been married for 55 years and live in Warwick. They have three sons, Jeremy, Adam and Joel, and two grandchildren.

Touro Board Chairman Stevan Labush presented Smith with an engraved watch for his service to the organization.

Offering tributes were fellow Touro members Dr. Robert Smith, the honoree’s brother and a retired dentist, and Adam Smith, Ethan Adler, Jeffrey Davis and Peter Hodosh. Robert Miller, board chairman emeritus, was the master of ceremonies.

Submitted by the Touro Fraternal Association