GRAND HAVEN, Mich. — Officials with the Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival announced the death of one of their own on Friday.
Commander Michael J. Smith, 70, died this week at his home. He served as the executive director of the festival from 2006 until his death, according to his LinkedIn profile.
Prior to that, he worked for the Union Rescue Mission in Los Angeles, a non-profit rescue mission from 2003-2006.
He was retired from active service with the U.S. Coast Guard.
The anchor on Dewey Hill will be raised and lit in his honor on Saturday and will remain lit until he's laid to rest.
Visitation is scheduled from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. next Sunday, May 7, at the Klaassen Family Funeral Home, located at 1500 Robbins Road in Grand Haven.
The funeral will be 11 a.m. Monday, May 8, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Spring Lake.
