Michael S. Smith

Michael S. Smith, 83, left for greener pastures on April 14, 2026 from home in New Haven, CT.

Michael was born December 11, 1942 in Portland, ME to Dorothy Deborah Bazilian and Louis Smith. He graduated from Portland High School in 1961 where he competed in swimming and diving. He received several awards and certificates of distinction for representing Portland High’s undefeated negative debate team while participating in the New Hampshire Debate Tournament, National Forensic League, and Interscholastic Debating League Tournaments at Bates College, Boston University, Bowdoin, Tufts and the University of Maine, among others. He received a certificate of merit for his presentation and knowledge on ‘The Role of the United States in the Age of Space’ in 1958 overseen by the Director of Press and Public Relations, United Arab Republic Delegation to the United Nations.

He received a BA in Political Science from UCONN, then pursued post graduate studies at Eastern CT State College and fifth year graduate work in History at Wesleyan University.

Michael was gifted with a beautiful tenor vocal ability and loved singing. He performed in summer stock including performing with the late, great Mitzi Gaynor.

He taught for a year at Portland, CT Middle School and then worked at the Meriden Community Action Agency developing employment opportunities where he met his wife-to-be, Sally Ann Flynn. In 1972, he joined his cousins for 22 years managing Bazilians, the family store, founded in Hartford in 1930, a beloved staple for back-to-school shopping in West Hartford. Later, he would dabble in real estate and financial services.

Michael and Sally married in 1974, giving birth to their only child, daughter Shannon Michaela Doree Smith in 1975. They lived on Diamond Hill in South Meriden, CT before building a home in Wallingford, CT.

Michael continued to be inspired by great performers and vocalists from Robert Goulet to Luciano Pavarotti and enjoyed attending Broadway touring companies at the Bushnell Theater in Hartford with his family. Some of his favorite music included ‘The Impossible Dream (The Quest)’ from the Don Quixote inspired Man of La Mancha, songs from The King and I, the whole of South Pacific, and ‘Edelweiss’ from The Sound of Music which he sang to a tiny rapt audience nightly as a lullaby to his daughter. Shannon grew up with this love of music, theater and dance from a young age, receiving a scholarship to attend Choate Rosemary Hall, graduating with a Prize for Excellence in Theatre Arts and earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Dance from SUNY Purchase, Conservatory of Dance.

In addition to singing, Michael also loved the sea. Summer vacations were spent staying in Portland, ME with his aunt Bertha Thorner who was active in Hadassah and Sharrey Tfiloh, where she served on the Sisterhood Board. He enjoyed days spent swimming at Pine Point Beach and walking along the rocks at Two Lights State Park. Many afternoons included lunch at the Clambake, or at Bertha’s with Maine lobsters, corn on the cob, ice cream and a cold root beer. He was also greatly fond of Ogunquit, walking the Marginal Way, from the Anchorage to Perkins Cove, dining at Barnacle Billy’s and treating family to salt water taffy and black licorice.

He is survived by his daughter, Shannon Michaela Doree Smith, presently living in Cork, Ireland; her mother, Sally Ann Flynn Smith of Meriden / Wallingford area along with Sally’s daughters Melinda Ellen and Kerri Ann, grandchildren and great grandchildren; her only son, Jon; extended Bazilian Family relations Marc and Nancy, Alan and Faye, Bonnie, Morgan, Jason, Tara and Eric, as well as, Smith family cousin, Gail.

He is predeceased by his mother, Dorothy Deborah Bazilian (d. 1992), greatly beloved and lovingly known to all as Doree; maternal grandparents Marcia Krisofsky (b. Poland 1878, d. 1968) and Morris Bazilian (b. Russia 1876, d. 1940); aunts and uncles Rose and Joe, Bob and Ceyl, Al and Frieda, Lou and Millie and cousin Sadie; his father, veteran Louis Smith (d. 1983); paternal grandparents Miriam Lerman (b. Poland 1891, d. 1966) and Samuel Smith (b. Russia 1890, d. 1953); beloved Aunt Bertha (d. 2009) her husband, Irving Thorner, uncles Carl and Jake, aunt Lillian and uncle Sam Fineberg (also his Godparents).

He was an animal lover and had many cat companions over the years including Tobias, Cassie and Zoe, who always ran to greet him.

Michael’s ashes will be scattered according to his wishes in the same location at sea as his mother’s, near Ogunquit, ME at a suitable occasion. A memorial service may be organized at that time. Contributions may be sent which will go towards support of the historic Marginal Way which was loved and enjoyed by all. The family may be reached by phone at 203-626-4909 and email at michaeladoreesmith@gmail.com.

Many thanks to the good people of Bella Vista in New Haven, CT, both staff and devoted neighbors for their support and care over the years.