Richard Allen Smagacz, 73, passed away at his home on June 1st in Saint Helen, Michigan. He fought a long battle with cancer.
Rick was born on December 29, 1950, in Detroit, Michigan to Aloysius and Emily Smagacz. He attended St. Rita High School in Detroit and went on to receive his bachelor’s degree from Western Michigan University in 1973. Attending Wayne State University, he earned his Master of Education degree. After graduating, he went on to teach in the Troy School District at Leonard and Wass Elementary Schools. He taught mainly fifth grade for 36 years, retiring in 2009.
It was during the beginning of his teaching, that he met his wife, Paula Janssens Smagacz, also a Troy teacher, and they began their life together in Troy. They were married on June 24, 1977. After raising their amazing children and retiring, they moved permanently to Saint Helen in 2013.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Paula, daughter, Kelley (Joshua) Dake from Carlsbad, CA along with their three children, Zachary, Samuel, and Charlie; son, Jason (Mary Ashley) Smagacz of Rockford, MI, their four children, Oliver, Scarlett, Eddy, and Beatrice; and son, Christopher (Kristen Roessel) Smagacz of Ferndale, MI and their two boys, Crew and Harlo.
He also leaves behind two sisters-in-law, Martha Janssens, and Lori Janssens Hall, as well as sister, Patricia (Kevin) Dupre, and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, and brother, David Smagacz
Rick lived life to the fullest. He loved every minute of his teaching career and challenged himself every day to be the best at it. He worked with his students to make sure they were successful. Safety Patrol, Camp Director, and Head Teacher were just a few of his many duties. History and Word of the Day were his specialties.
He loved sports and the outdoors. Deer, turkey, and morel hunting, along with fishing and golf, kept him young and active. He passed all of these to his children and grandchildren with great pride. Nothing brought him more happiness than when all of his children and grandchildren came for vacation. Days were filled with boating, golf, Ninja courses, and fishing.
A visitation will be held at A.J. Desmond & Sons Funeral Home, 2600 Crooks Road, Troy, Michigan on Saturday, June 8th from 12:00-7:00 PM, with a service at 5:00 PM.
A special thanks to Steuernol and McLaren Funeral Home in St. Helen, MI for their assistance.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Compassus Hospice Care or MyMichigan Health Foundation Oncology and Hematology.
