J. Christopher Smith

J. Christopher Smith, 51, of Massillon, passed away Friday, November 2, 2012 following a short illness. He was born August 29, 1961 in Massillon to Erna (Aab) Smith and the late John C. Smith. Chris graduated from Massillon Washington High School, earned a Bachelor of Music Education degree from the University of Akron, and a Master of Education Administration degree from Ashland University. Over his thirty-year career, he served in a variety of educational capacities throughout Stark County, including tenures at Perry Local, Plain Local, Massillon City and Canton City Schools. He served as Director of Bands for Massillon City, Superintendent of Schools for Plain Local, and most recently as Superintendent of Canton City Schools. His lifelong passion for education left an indelible mark on everyone he touched, young and old alike. Chris is survived by his wife of twenty-four years, Debbi A. (Cozy) Smith; his sons, John Tyler Smith and Connor Smith; his daughter, Karoline Smith; his mother, Erna Smith; and his brothers, James (Kayra) Smith and Robert (Kathleen) Smith. Also surviving are his mother and father-in-law, Judy Ann and Thomas L. Cozy; brothers and sisters-in-law, John and Sherri Agler, and Mark and Brenda Cozy; nieces and nephews, Jessica, Tom, Julia, Bryan, Jennifer, Stephanie, Zachary, Ashley, Benjamin, Paige, Mackenzie, and Nathan; and his beloved dog Sheila. Chris had a contagious passion in everything he touched, especially his family. He loved skiing, grilling on the deck, hiking, and traveling. He was so proud of his children and all that they accomplished. A celebration of Chris's life will take place in the auditorium at Washington High School (1 Paul Brown Drive S.E., Massillon, OH 44646) on Saturday, November 10th at 10:00 A.M. There are no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, and to honor his passion for education, a scholarship fund to benefit graduates of the Massillon and Canton school systems is being established in his name at First Merit Bank.