Michael E. Smith was a patriot, problem-solver, fighter, and leader for Liberty and Prosperity during the past 15 years.
Before retiring, Mike worked as an industrial electrician on the Ben Franklin and Walt Whitman Bridges for the Delaware River Port Authority. He then worked for the Port Authority Transit Corporation (PATCO) on its high speed transit line between Lindenwold and Philadelphia. His work required enormous skill and involved great danger. He had to install, troubleshoot, and repair high voltage electrical systems. Mike almost always worked outdoors, often during extreme weather conditions and with high speed rail and motor traffic around him. Mike was known for carefully thinking through problems and planning solutions.
Mike was also an active leader in his union, the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 716. On May 16, 1998, Mike was one of 72 members of various unions arrested for participating in a peaceful march across the Ben Franklin Bridge. Mike was one of 12 members of Local 716 terminated from employment. That march stopped traffic for one hour on a Saturday afternoon. This was done after the Delaware River Port Authority failed to negotiate a new contract for nine months after the old contract had expired. During this time, the DRPA hired non-union “temporary” employees to replace union members for various jobs. Mike’s Union challenged the arrests and terminations in federal court. The charges were then dismissed, and Mike was reinstated.
Mike applied his skills as an electrician and a union leader for Liberty and Prosperity during the past 18 years. Mike was an avid reader and provided us with reliable research. He was especially aware of techniques used by Communists to infiltrate and manipulate labor unions, and how to defeat those efforts. Mike was also aware of “cultural Marxism”. He warned of how Communists now use their old labor union organizing and propaganda techniques to divide Americans by race, sex, sexual orientation and categories.
Mike also used his expertise as an electrician to expose the false claims made by advocates of solar and wind energy, and of electric vehicles.
Michael E. Smith also brought a physical strength and presence to Liberty and Prosperity. In 2007 and 2008, Mike joined our members to attend “Town Hall” meetings held by former Democratic Governor Jon Corzine to mortgage and “monetize” the Garden State Parkway, New Jersey Turnpike and Atlantic City Expressway. Steve Lonegan and I were wrongfully arrested outside one of those “Town Hall” meetings for displaying signs and distributing literature on a sidewalk. Those charges were quickly dismissed.
Above Image: Michael E. Smith holds American flag at ceremony held by Liberty and Prosperity to remember Richard Somers on September 4, 2021. The red cap draped over the flag was known as the Phrygean Cap or Liberty Cap and was commonly draped over flagpoles in America during and after the American Revolution. According to legend, that red cap was worn by slaves in ancient Rome who had gained their freedom.
For more than 15 years, Mike also carried our flags and banners when Liberty and Prosperity participated in marches and parades for Memorial Day, July 4 and other special events. He also held a flag or banner at our yearly September 4 event to remember Richard Somers in Somers Point.
Michael was also a leader in his church, the Victory Bible Church of Hammonton. There, he seemed to inject the message of Liberty and Prosperity into every event and conversation. Michael strongly believed that every Christian has a personal obligation to “do more than vote” preserve our American way of life. That includes electing public officials understand, support and defend our Constitution, principles of liberty, and basic Christian Bible values starting with “Love your neighbor as yourself”.
Michael Smith was Vice-President and member of the Board of Directors of Liberty and Prosperity 1776, Inc. for more than fifteen years.
This year, September 4, 2023 was the first time in those 15 years that Michael E. Smith did not hold a flag or banner at our Richard Somers event in Somers Point, New Jersey. Mike died on September 1, three days before our event this year.
The funeral is scheduled for Friday, September 8th at 10AM with a service at 11AM at the Boakes Funeral Home 6050 Main St., Mays Landing. Burial to follow in the Atlantic County Veterans Cemetery in Estell Manor. Michael’s family has requested that in lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Victory Bible Church in Hammonton, New Jersey, or the charity of your choice in Michael’s name.
BOAKES FUNERAL HOME OBITUARY:
Michael E. Smith – Michael E. Smith, 79, a 47-year resident of the Weymouth section of Hamilton Township, passed away on Friday, September 1 at Virtua Hospital in Voorhees following a courageous battle with cancer. He was born and raised in the Northern Liberties section of Philadelphia.
The United States Navy veteran was stationed at Barber’s Point in Hawaii and at Liberty Station in San Diego as an aviation electrician. He then spent 30 years as an electrician with the Delaware River Port Authority and was also employed by the Port Authority Transit Corporation. He also took studies at Rutgers University.
Michael was an avid reader and loved his home, his kids and his sweet dog Roxy. He was a strong Christian and member of Victory Bible Church. The true patriot was a former member of Liberty and Prosperity and the John Birch Society and also served on the Hamilton Township Republican County Committee. He truly loved God and his Country! He was also a long-time member of Parents Without Partners.
He was predeceased by his children Michael Garrett and Vincent, mother Mary Holowich-Smith and his sister, Catherine Smith. He is survived by his children Christopher M. Smith Sr. (Sam), Jeffrey M. Smith and Melissa Maria Smith and grandchildren Tyler Smith, Christopher M. Smith, Jr. and Leighanna N. Smith. He is also survived by his sister Anne Frank (Fred) of Philadelphia.
The funeral is scheduled for Friday, September 8th at 10AM with a service at 11AM at the Boakes Funeral Home 6050 Main St., Mays Landing, with burial to follow in the Atlantic County Veterans Cemetery in Estell Manor. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Victory Bible Church or the charity of your choice in Michael’s name.
