10/22/2026
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of retired AHFD Captain Larry Smielewski. Captain Smielewski was a long time member of Station 1 and was the head of the cadet program for many years. He was a good man and was always there for the Department.
He was born on May 7, 1940 in Pontiac MI. and graduated from Rochester High School in 1958. Larry joined the US Army and served his country until 1962, stationed in Germany for most of his tour. He was married to Louise Marie Smith from 1964 until her passing in 1991.
He owned Smiley Electric on Auburn Rd until it closed in 2005. Larry served with Pontiac Township (later Auburn Hills) Fire Department from 1972 until retiring in 2000. He spent his retirement years with wife Frances, whom he married in 1991, traveling and serving the community where they later settled, Dewey, AZ.
Larry is survived by his wife Fran, his children; Paul (Jennifer), James (Katie), Mary (Scott) Fritts, Nancy (Randall Riggsbee), and Marc (Diane); thirteen grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. Stepfather to Russell and Brad Cummings, with three step-grandchildren. In addition to Louise, he was preceded in death by parents Isidor and Genevieve (Spohn) Smielewski.
Services will be held on Friday, October 23, 2026 at the John Desmond Chapel of Pixley Funeral Homes, 3530 Auburn Road, Auburn Hills. The family will receive visitors beginning at 11 am, with services to begin at 1 pm.
Interment at Christian Memorial Cultural Center, Rochester Hills, MI.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Auburn Hills Firefighters Helping Hands, ahhelpinghands.org.
