This is the former home of local notable Robert Smith, where he raised his family and lived for over 62 years. The home has been lovingly restored with many of the interesting original furniture and furnishings. This is a three bedroom midcentury tri-level in prestigious Franklin Village located on an acre and a half in a cul-de-sac. Franklin is known for the Franklin Cider Mill and was designated Michigan's first historic district. The village center is nearby with restaurants and shops. The spacious living room, dining room and modern new kitchen are located on the main level with a walk out slide wall to the patio. The furnishings are mostly authentic midcentury which are original to the house. The woodwork and brickwork are part of the original furnishings as well. The kitchen has been renovated with new countertops, cabinets and stainless steel appliances. On the tri-level lower area below, is the cozy family room with working fireplace, half bath, laundry and attached garage. The television is a SMART TV with internet available. The upper level has three bedrooms with many of the furnishings in the bedrooms original to the home. The bathrooms have been beautifully renovated to reflect the style of today. Guests have access to all areas including the attached garage. The front of the house has a circular drive to the front door and there is a driveway down to the lower level garage. The village center is a short walk to the north, and there is usually no problem getting Uber transportation if needed. Franklin is a unique setting for a combination of homes that are nearly 100 years old, massive modern mansions, and eclectic renovated abodes. A quaint downtown area features shops, restaurants and a working apple cider mill. THE STORY OF BOB SMITH Robert I. Smith, age 95, formerly of Franklin Village, MI, passed away April 24, 2020. He was born in Detroit, MI, April 4, 1925, the son of the late Esther and Louis Smith. Robert, mostly known as Bob, was born and raised in Detroit, MI and graduated from Northwestern High School in 1943. Robert and his twin brother, Dick, enlisted in the Army with in 1943, shortly after he turned 18. After finishing his basic training, they were transferred to Texas, serving in the Signal Corps. They trained soldiers in coding and installing communication wires. During this time, Bob became an excellent marksman, often participation in competition. After the Army, he returned to Detroit to begin his college at the University of Detroit, he met the love of his life while attending college. He met the love of his life, Muriel, while at the U of D. They were married for 62 years before her passing in 2010. The couple had two children, Glenn and Gayle. They built a home in Franklin Village and remained active there until 2019. He then moved to Novi, MI into an Independent Living Senior Center. Bob was in the aluminum industry for nearly his entire life. He was Executive Vice President of Kaufmann Window and Door and the sister company, International Extrusions. During that time, he worked with his son, Glenn for over twenty-five years. Business took Bob on many overseas trips to England, Scotland, Belgium and Holland establishing customers. Bob was an avid car enthusiast and collector beginning when he was a young boy. He and his twin brother, before they could even drive legally, would buy cars fix them up and sell them. Most of the cars were convertibles, which Bob loved. For a time, he worked for a hearse company, washing the vehicles and driving the flower car to funerals. When he was 17, he started picking up the deceased at their homes at all hours of the day, always wearing a bowler hat and suit. Bob owned two classic cars, a 1955 T-Bird and 1964 ½ Mustang. He was a founding member and baritone horn player, of the Franklin Village Band. The band played many charity concerts and also ushered in Santa Claus at the annual Hudson’s Thanksgiving Day parade. He was also a dedicated Tigers fan, and visited the Tigers Fantasy Camps numerous times, in Lakeland Fl., where his son was participating in the camp. During this time, he met and became friends with many former Detroit Tigers players. He enjoyed going on cruises with Muriel and friends, as well as playing Bridge, which he still played twice a week. The family still owns a cottage in Lake City, MI, where they enjoyed summers on the water. Robert will be warmly remembered by his family, many friends and colleagues. He was preceded in death by his wife of 62 years Muriel, and his siblings, Ray, twin brother Richard, Russell and Betty. You will see his name still attached to the mailbox at the front of the house at the street. ABOUT FRANKLIN VILLAGE Franklin Village was founded by Elijah Bullock and other settlers, and was named after Benjamin Franklin. The village's collection of essentially original-condition structures is quite unusual in suburban Detroit. The village was incorporated in the fifties. In the early sixties, a historical marker was erected that reads: "FRANKLIN VILLAGE . It was founded in the early eighteen hundreds. The first postmaster was Dr. Ebenezer Raynale, state legislator and physician. The William Huston store, was the forerunner of a business center that later included the famous Broughton Wagon Shop, the Van Every Mills, now Ye Olde Cider Mill, several taverns, two distilleries, and two churches. The village also was a station on the Underground Railroad. Franklin still has the appearance and atmosphere of an early Michigan village."