Rotary stalwart PDG Mike Smith passed away suddenly on the 13th of September.
Mike is remembered as a kind and caring man with a passion for helping others, particularly through his involvement with Rotary.
He was a Rotarian since 1980 having joined Gisborne 42 years ago.
In 1984 he moved to Napier joining the Rotary Club of Ahuriri where he served as President three times, most recently in 2020/21.
Mike’s enthusiasm endeared him to Rotarians locally.
He was instrumental in the formation of both the Rotary Club of Ahuriri Sunrise and the Interact Club at Napier Boys High School. He gave selflessly of his time to Interact encouraging and supporting their members over many years. In recent times he drove Ahuriri Rotary’s 40th Anniversary project to build a public BBQ on the Ahuriri foreshore and was awarded the Jack Dunlop Rotarian of the Year for 2021/22.
Mike Smith served Rotary at District and International levels. He was a member of the D9930 Youth Exchange committee from 1992 – 2002 serving as Chairman for three years from 1999. In this role, Mike was highly respected as a friendly and supportive advocate for the Youth Exchange programme. He also served as District Membership Chair from 2018-2021 and District Probus Chair since 2020.
Mike was Secretary to PDG Fergus Cumming during his year as Governor and Conference Chair for PDG Roger Miller’s District Conference in Napier in 2013. He then went on to serve as Rotary International Governor for D9930 in the 2015-16 year.
Past District Governors Grant Spackman, Mike Smith, and Ross Pinkham
His Health theme is still fondly remembered. He was a member of the District Board from 2014 to 2017 and again from 2019 to 2022 a total of seven years of dedicated service. He was a strong supporter of our District Advisory Council of former Governors, playing an active role.
He traveled extensively for Rotary including attending International Conventions most recently in Toronto in 2018.
In addition to his successful Real Estate business, Mike was always willing to put his hand up to help with anything no matter how busy he was. He was a mentor to many Rotarians and will be fondly remembered as “Mr. Rotary”, the person that you went to when you needed to know something about Rotary.
Honoured with the Paul Harris Fellowship plus 5 sapphires and a member of the Paul Harris Society, Mike Smith truly exemplified Service Above Self.
Grant Spackman
Max Patmoy ( 19 Sep 2022 )
