Russell Francis Smith

October 23, 1943 - February 6, 2022

On February 6, 2022, Russell Francis Smith, loving husband and father of two children, passed away at the age of 78. Russell was born on October 23, 1943 in Newark, OH to William and Ruth (Zigan) Smith. He attended Newark schools until he entered the US Navy in 1959. After his Honorable Discharge from the Navy in 1963, Russell stayed in California until he moved back to Newark in 1973. Russell married Jocelyne on September 2, 1989. He worked at Newark AFB as a photographer for 18 years. After he retired from the AFB, he and Jocelyne moved to Florida. Russell had a great passion for fishing. He enjoyed fishing with family and friends his entire life. When not fishing, he and Jocelyne liked to go to the movies and eating out. Russell was a fantastic photographer and enjoyed taking pictures of Florida’s beautiful scenery. He also enjoyed auto mechanics and restored 60s muscle cars. He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Ruth Smith, his brother William Smith Jr, brother Charles K. Smith and his sister Rosetta M Erwin. He is survived by his loving wife, Jocelyne, daughter Julianne Ronan and husband Jeffery, son Darrin Smith and wife Rochelle, brother David W. Smith, stepdaughters Liette Gidlow and husband Adam Sakel, Dominique Koukol and husband David, Nathalie Upton and husband Richard, grandchildren Tyler, Drew, Nathan, Dylon, Alaina, Alan, Sam, Max, Daniel, Aubrey, Camden, Alexander, August Joy and Owen Alan. Russell also is survived by two great grandchildren Makayla and Oliver.