Christopher Drew Smith was born on May 13, 1946. He passed away November 1, 2025 in Eureka, at Frye’s Care Home.

Chris was born in Washington D.C. to his parents Daniel Laws Smith and his mother, Frances Brooks Smith. The oldest son of an army colonel, the family moved every three years during his childhood. His places of residence included The Army War College in Carlisle, Penn., and Fort Lee, in Virginia. The family also lived in Orleans, France, and Frankfurt, Germany. He graduated from high school in Newport, Rhode Island. He became very adept at making friends because of his frequent family moves. He had an outgoing personality, quick wit, and an easy sense of humor. Some friends described it as zany, but humor and laughter just encompass who he was. In high school, he found a passion for theater and was cast in Oklahoma and Carousel.

After high school he attended Ohio Wesleyan University, and Ohio State. In 1965 he enlisted in the U.S. Marines. His father was an army man but his choice to enlist with the Marines had to do with his belief he was more likely to survive the conflict in Vietnam as a Marine. He was the top soldier in his platoon and received distinction as a marksman.

After serving in Vietnam he moved to Petoskey, Michigan. His family spent summers in Bayview, Michigan on Little Travers Bay from 1960 through his high school years. In 1961 his family bought a cottage in the Methodist community of Bay View, Michigan. The community was important to his formative years. His aunt and uncle Bronson and Harriet Smith also had a cottage in Bay View. Between the two families, the seven cousins had many happy times together.

Chris was introduced to the restaurant business at an early age. A local  young couple, Stafford and Jan Smith (no relation), purchased the historic Bay View Inn. At first they hired Chris to help them paint and get the Inn ready to reopen. Once open, Chris spent a summer washing dishes at the inn. Chris was able to observe how Stafford and Jan ran the kitchen, trained the staff, and observed all facets of running a successful inn and restaurant. After Chris returned from Vietnam in 1968, he worked for Stafford and Jan bartending and catering private parties for wealthy summer residents. Stafford and Jan had many great stories to tell about Chris, and they stayed in touch for many years.  

Chris decided to stay in the Bay View and Petosky area. It seemed like a good place to settle down after Vietnam. He worked for three years at WMBN as news director. He had a unique and colorful banter on air, and it led to his own radio show. At that time he also became involved as a cast member of The Little Travers Civic Theater. Among other roles he starred in the Sound of Music, My Fair Lady, The Music Man, Cactus Flower, Barefoot in the Park, and Little Foxes, among others. In most he was the lead or had important supporting roles. There were many glowing reviews of his performances in the local paper.

Here’s a sample:

“In the Music Man, he played the part of Marcellus Washburn, a friend and confident of Harold Hill and as usual Chris puts everything he has into the part. I always enjoy his acting, he is a natural ham, and he got his share of applause for his presentation in this production.”

Of his role in “My Fair Lady”:  

“As Col. Pickering, Chris Smith masters all of the mannerisms commonly stereotyped for English Military men, the puffy facial expressions and stiltified body movements. The structured role becomes believable under his hand.”

He made and kept many lifelong friends during his time in the theater company.

Hoping to break into theater in Chicago, he moved there in 1971. It’s also where he found his career in restaurants. Initially it was just a job but after a time it became his calling. His first Chicago restaurant job was at the very popular “Waterfront,” where his brother was part owner. He had a natural aptitude for all facets of restaurant work. At “Tango,” an upscale Chicago restaurant, he met Curly Tait. When Curly moved to Ferndale, Chris soon followed and what at first what was just a place to visit became his home. The two eventually opened the bar “The Vance Log Cabin” in 1975 on the ground floor of the historic Vance Hotel in Eureka’s Old Town. Chris and Curly made it a happening place to be. They had live bands seven nights a week. Notable among musical acts playing regularly was Robert Cray, the Grayson Street House Rockers, and many others. After several stops managing different bars and restaurants in Eureka and Arcata, he was hired to manage Bergie’s Cafe, in the basement of The Jacoby Storehouse, for several years. It was while working as manager of Bergie’s that he met and fell in love with Doralee, who he married in November 1987. After he left Bergie’s he and Bill Chino owned and operated The Far Side Cafes in Arcata and Eureka. The Far Sides did very well, but they had a chance to lease the former Bergie’s location, so they sold the Far Side cafes and opened Abruzzi in 1988. Abruzzi proved to be the jewel in the crown of his career. In a whirlwind of entrepreneurship, the successful pair opened The Plaza Grill in 1989, and later Moonstone Grill, rebranding the very popular and enduring dinner house that had been Merryman’s.

In over 40 years as a professional restaurateur, Chris was known for his graciousness and charm. His high standards, meticulous attention to detail and oft-repeated conviction that “the customer is always right” were keys to the success of his restaurants. He was dedicated to his profession, bringing his energetic optimism and impressive work ethic to work seven days a week. He served as a mentor to many of the young people who worked for him over the years, not only teaching them the ins and outs of the restaurant business but offering wisdom and encouragement when they faced personal challenges and were in search of advice.

Chris never planned to retire, but eventually his Alzheimer’s prevented him from continuing to work. It was very hard for him to let go of such a central part of his life. He continued to go to the restaurant and hang out for hours every day until he was no longer able.

Chris was preceded in death by his father, Col. Dan Smith, and mother, Frances Jane Smith. He is survived by his wife, Doralee Smith, sister Jane Christie Faust, brother Roy Smith, nephew Patrick Smith, stepdaughter Kim Pinches, granddaughter Emma Pinches, and numerous cousins and beloved friends.

A Celebration of Life will be held February 7, 2026, at The Basement (formerly Abruzzi) from 2 to 5 p.m. Please RSVP by texting (707) 845-2309 no later than January 28.

In lieu of flowers or gifts, please donate to Walk to End Alzheimers Team Smith21 in honor of Chris Smith at tinyurl.com/CDSmith21