Warren Francis Smith

June 28, 1946 - August 10, 2020
Warren Francis Smith

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Warren Francis Smith
Warren F. Smith, June 28, 1946, to August 10, 2020

EASTERN NC ICE CREAM SHORTAGE OVER

Warren Smith, resident of Washington, North Carolina, and previously of Chicago, Illinois, and Asheville, North Carolina, began his next journey on August 10, 2020, long before expected; and, naturally, before sunrise, just as his many friends, neighbors and family would have expected.

Born in 1946, to Mrs. Barbara (O’Malley) and Dr. Warren Francis Smith, Warren grew up in Oak Park and River Forest, Illinois. There, he attended St. Lucy’s Elementary School and Fenwick High School (Class of ’64), then the University of Notre Dame (Class of ’68). In 1969, Warren began a long career as a Member of the Chicago Board of Trade, where he served as a Director of the Board, started his own commodities brokerage firm, Celtic, and made many, many wonderful friends.

A renaissance man particularly averse to losing time to traffic or inclement weather, Warren began telecommuting between Asheville, and the Chicago Board of Trade in the early 1980s. With Asheville as home, Warren passionately embraced jogging countless miles on mountain roads, completing the Chicago Marathon in 1983. Warren was at home in the Blue Ridge mountains where he spent time with his greatest pride, his three children (with Virginia (McCauley) Smith), and with his friends, dogs, and books.

In 2005, again seeking and finding a new (and smaller) town—he knew it was time when he was the third car in line at a stoplight in Asheville—Warren relocated to “Little” Washington, finding the joy of his Washington friends and neighbors, and the great love of his life, Rosie, his wife and best friend since 2007. In Washington, Warren enjoyed many and daily long walks—book in hand and mentally drafting his next letter to the editor.

Always inclined to “fill the unforgiving minute with sixty seconds’ worth of distance run,” Warren cared deeply and passionately for his family, friends, neighbors, and many, many grateful dogs. He will be dearly and profoundly missed by all those whose lives he touched for the better—his heart and smile were generous and kind, and the sound of his laughter will long outlive him.

Warren is survived by his wife, Rosie; his daughters, Kate (Jon) Anderson (Zurich, Switzerland) and Suzanne (Justin) Williams (Atlanta, Georgia), and by his son and closest friend, Patrick (Salem, Oregon), and by Holmes (Karen) Lilley and Caroline Lilley; by his grandchildren, William Anderson, Jack and Tillie Williams, Izzy Smith and Beckham Lilley; by his only sibling, sister, Nancy (Tom) Campbell; and by many nieces, nephews and cousins.

The Family invites those who loved Warren to join them for a socially-distanced (and masked) celebration of his life on Thursday, August 13, at 10 a.m., at Riverside Drive in the Washington Park neighborhood of Washington, NC. In lieu of flowers, please honor Warren by playing a practical joke on an unexpecting good sport, or by a donation to the Humane Society of Beaufort County.

You may share a memory with the family by visiting www.josephpaulfdl.com.
Joseph B. Paul, Jr. Funeral Director Licensee of Washington is serving the Smith family.


Life Celebration

Thursday, August 13, 2020
10:00 AM

Riverside Drive - Directions
Washington Park Neighborhood
Washington, NC 27889

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  • August 15, 2020
    Pat & Andy Nassef says:
    We are so, so sorry for your loss.

  • August 13, 2020
    Elaine Holloman says:
    Rosie, you and the whole family are in my prayers. So very sorry for your loss.

  • August 13, 2020
    Elizabeth Moore says:
    My deepest sympathy for your loss Rosie. Prayers for healing for you and family.

  • August 13, 2020
    Virginia Roy says:
    Sympathy and prayers for you and family Rosie.

  • August 13, 2020
    Kathleen Doherty says:
    So sorry for your loss.

  • August 13, 2020
    Barbara Gilcrest says:
    I am so very sorry. May you find comfort in your special memories.

  • August 14, 2020
    Tom Mallers says:
    Warren will be missed. He had a kind heart, sharp mind, and quick wit that will live on in the many people he touched in his life. I feel fortunate to have known him.

  • August 13, 2020
    Tom Jacobs says:
    Warren and I were high school classmates. A funny, smart, independent thinker. Warren wanted to make his own way in life and the comments about him demonstrate that he did his way. Sorry about the loss.

  • August 14, 2020
    Dan Dinello says:
    Warren and I were classmates at St. Lucy elementary school in Chicago. I remember him as friendly, funny, easy-going, smart and handsome. We shared some good times. I'm sorry for your loss.

  • August 13, 2020
    Andrew Rosenthal says:
    I always laughed when I was with Warren and I usually learned something when I was with Warren. He taught me how to play golf with one club (he didn't want to carry all of the other clubs, too much of a pain)...in the hills of Switzerland ("just hit it over here") I would hear his voice through the fog (I was hitting into a cloud that had the voice of Warren). He introduced me to running/jogging...(in Hawaii). I was a teenager then, but our relationship continued into my adulthood when we would talk about trading a lot. He will be missed.

  • August 17, 2020
    Rick Siegel says:
    Warren was a great guy. Very sad day for me to hear about Warrens passing. I looked up and admired Warren for all my 20 years at the CBOT. Rest In Peace You will be fondly remembered.

  • August 21, 2020
    John Walsh says:
    Safe passage, dear friend. It's been years--no, decades--since we last shared a laugh over mischief together. We were classmates in high school and college, but childhood friends years before that. The turbulent '60s started us on different life paths. Rosie, Kate, Suzanne, and Patrick--my deepest condolences on your loss of someone who I know was a source of love and energy in your lives.

  • August 25, 2020
    Charles Clark says:
    WARREN WAS MY DEAR FRIEND FOR YEARS AND WILL BE MISSED HERE BUT I'LL SEE WARREN AGAIN WHEN WE MEET AT HEAVEN'S DOOR AND I LOVE ROSIE AND WILL BE PRAYING FOR HER AS TIME GOES ON. LOVE YOU ROSIE.

  • August 27, 2020
    Betsy Hasson says:
    Suzanne, I am so sorry to hear of your father's passing. What a wonderful tribute! He sounds like someone I would have liked to have known. May you and your family be wrapped in love during this time.

  • September 11, 2020
    james burke says:
    Rosie, Patrick, Suzanne, & Katie, It is still difficult to believe that Warren has left us. I first met Warren over 50 years ago at Notre Dame.Some of my friends were from River Forest and told me to be sure to look him up when I got there.We soon became pals and lived in the same floor of Walsh Hall dormitory. It was evident then to see how bright he was by the variety of books he would read and the range of his thinking. We stayed in touch after graduation. He became a mentor when I joined the CBOT twelve years later. After he formed Celtic Trading he had was critically important to and responsible for any success I might have.We became very close;occasionally staying with us on his bi-weekly trips to Chicago from Asheville. He was the godfather to one of my sons, and could relate to all my children. I often called him the professor because of his insight; his ability to see through clutter and focus on what was important. He was one of my very best friends and I will miss him. I'm deeply sorry for your loss, and I know just how special a man he was.

  • September 28, 2020
    Jane Mrofka says:
    Rosie, Kate, Suzanne and Patrick, I am so sorry for your loss. Warren and Jack McKerr were my first bosses when I started as a runner for Celtic in '85. I learned so much from Warren and he treated me very well. Patrick I met you when you worked for your father on the floor. Rosie, Kate, and Suzanne, I met you all 9 years ago at Tom Campbell's daughter's wedding at Holy Name. Warren and I texted and it was when he didn't answer my text yesterday am I knew something was wrong. I loved him like a older brother and also an amazing teacher. I will miss him terribly and you are all in my heart and prayers. Warren will always have a special place in my heart. Jane Mrofka Chicago, IL

  • January 21, 2021
    Jim Bisceglia says:
    Warren was my good friend from ND. We drove non stop from South Bend to Fort Lauderdale in 1967 for Spring Break; the next year he stayed at my parent's house in Worcester while attending Charlie Gareau's wedding. Many of us stayed at his home in River Forest on weekends. Nothing but great memories; he was sui generis.

  • January 26, 2021
    Charles Clark says:
    WARREN AND ROSIE WWERE DEAR FRIENDS FOR MANY YEARS AND SHIRLEY AND I LOVED GOING OUT TO EAT WITH THEM.WARREN WILL BE. MISSED BY MANY.RIP MY FRIEND.

  • August 12, 2020
    Judy Beacham says:
    So sorry Rosie, my thoughts and prayers are with you and all of Warren's family.

  • August 11, 2020
    Carole Gunn says:
    I will miss Warren, his kind and generous smile and his many kind words. He was a special friend.

  • August 11, 2020
    Michelle Kotara says:
    Dearest Kate, hoping the joyful energetic and purposeful life your Father lived will support you and your family during time of loss. May there be laughter with the memories. All our Love, Michelle
    Kenn and Julian

  • August 12, 2020
    Bill Alton says:
    What a great person! Kind, generous individual with a big heart. Gonna miss you Warren!

  • August 12, 2020
    Jon Anderson says:
    we love you Warren and Rosie. always in our hearts.

  • August 12, 2020
    Ginger Newbold says:
    May God give the family strength and peace. I am so sorry for your loss.

  • August 12, 2020
    Larry M. Boyd says:
    Rosie and family....So very sorry for your loss. Warren was always openly friendly and a pleasure to talk with when out and about. I really enjoyed running into him occasionally walking on the boardwalk. He will be missed greatly.

  • August 12, 2020
    Jeannie Kountouris says:
    Warren was super smart, passionate, kind and had a heart of gold. He definitely left the world in a better place by help g so many people. George and I were fortunate to know him and call him a dear friend. We will miss him so very much!

  • August 12, 2020
    Genny and Louis Pugh says:
    Rosie, know that you are in our thoughts at this time of great loss. We know that your memories and the love of your family will sustain you in the coming days.

  • August 11, 2020
    Lynne O'Carroll says:
    Rosie and family I am very sorry for your loss.

  • August 12, 2020
    Joyce Seavey says:
    Prayers for the family he was always so nice and caring

  • August 12, 2020
    Suzanne Woolard says:
    Rosie, I am lifting you up in love.

  • August 13, 2020
    Melvin and Rita Grant says:
    Rosie and Family, We are so very sorry for your loss. Please know you are all in our thoughts and prayers.
    Melvin and Rita Grant

  • August 13, 2020
    Jill Kiley Carey says:
    I have very fond memories of Warren from St. Lucy years . I remember him as lighthearted and kind and he always seemed to have a smile . Jill Kiley Carey friend and fellow student at St Lucy

  • August 12, 2020
    William Doherty says:
    Warren and I were not brothers by blood but growing up we were as close as brothers in every other respect. Thanks to our Mothers, two of the three O'Malley sisters, we spent much of our childhood together playing, exploring and having great adventures in suburban Chicago. I have such a flood of wonderful memories of that time with Warren and the entire Smith clan. Unfortunately, as we grew, different interests and different grade levels interfered with this relationship. Our family moving to California when I was 16 closed the door on that childhood relationship.

    Those of you who knew Warren know that he had a life very well lived. He followed his dreams and his passions while creating a beautiful family in addition to a substantial business. What Warren gave me was a rich childhood filled with fun, love, and brotherhood. For that gift, I will be eternally grateful.

  • August 13, 2020
    Irwin Smith says:
    Deepest sympathies on his untimely death. Irwin Smith CBOT member Morton Grove, IL

  • August 13, 2020
    Tricia Highfill says:
    Prayers for the family and friends. May memories comfort you in the coming days.

  • August 12, 2020
    Tom White says:
    Warren
    You will be missed.. You touched so many with your Wisdom , Friendship, and Laughter. I personally miss you already with your 5 am news analysis coupled with a great joke or comic meme . I looked for it this morning Only to be reminded of this Great Loss. You were a Great Person, Friend, mentor , and Teacher. Damn I hate 2020 But I have so many great memories to reflect upon . Rest in Peace My Friend ... God Speed