Do you capitalize "late" when referring to a deceased person?

Question

For example, do you say the late John Smith or the Late John Smith?

Answer 1

no.

it's not a proper noun, it's not even a noun, it's an adjective describing the person who passed away.

unless if the dude was named "Late John Smith."

Answer 2

You don't capitalize it.

Answer 3

you do not capitalize late. lt is not a name.