Obituary of George William Smith

Smith, George William - George passed away peacefully at Hospice, Niagara, on Tuesday October 3rd 2017.  He was surrounded by family and his special nurses.   He is survived by his loving wife, Marie Doreen Smith, daughter Nancy Jolley (Ron Kline) and son Tim Smith.  Grandparent of Chad Smith, Rachel and Lauren Kremble, Ryan and Kerri Howie.  Brother to Murray (Kathy), Thora (Floyd McDonald), Betty (Johnny Kump), Thelma (Matt McKinnon), Mary (Jim Fullerton).   Predeceased by sisters   Betty and Thelma. (Johnny and Jim)  Brother in law to Walt and Joyce Claus, Glen and Rene Mewhiney and Gene and Arlene Smith.  Predeceased by Joyce, Arlene, Glen and Gene.

George was a very loving and kind gentleman and made friends easily wherever he went.   He was born at home in Jordan Station on November 13 1928 to loving parents Roy and Thora Smith.  He attended Jordan Station Public School and St. Catharines Collegiate.  He worked at Coles Hardware in his younger years and then apprenticed as a plumber and sheet metal worker. He was offered a position at Avro and worked in Malton for a time. He was proud of the fact that he was part of Canadian history with the first super sonic jet, the Avro Arrow.  As his entrepreneur spirit surfaced, he decided to open Smith's Hardware  and plumbing and heating business on Martindale Road. With his wife Marie by his side, a successful enterprise was created.   Years into a successful business, he decide to give back the lessons he had learned and became a Technical Teacher. Commuting to Toronto for his teaching degree, he landed a position at Castle Frank High School.  Many weeks he missed his growing family because he was only able to return home on weekends.  Luck was on his side and he acquired a teaching job at the St. Catharines Collegiate, in his home town.   In his younger years he played fast ball with the Jordan Lions and continued his association with his team mates.   Once a month they met for friendly chats and to reminisce about the good old days.  He met his future bride at the ball diamond and they were happily married for 66 years.

Many special thanks to Dr. Manjos, Rita and staff; Wound care specialist Nora, St. Elizabeth Special Nursing Team Jennifer, Charlotte, Trevor, Michalina;  Walker Cancer Clinic; Dr Levesque, Nurse Dot and the Oncology Team at Juravinski Hospital, Dr. Wright, Nurses Pauline and Laurie, the radiation team and friends; LHIN Care coordinator Nora. And a heartfelt, "Thank You" for the compassionate staff at Hospice Niagara, Tina, Dr Song, Dr Kerley, Carol and all the others that touched his life in a loving way.

The family will receive friends at the Vineland Chapel of Tallman Funeral Homes, 3277 King St. on Thursday, Oct 5, 6 – 8:30 p.m. and Friday 2-4 and 6-8 p.m.  A Masonic Service will be Friday at 5:30 p.m.  Funeral Service will be Saturday, Oct. 7 at 10 a.m. in the chapel.  Interment to follow at Vineland Cemetery.  If desired, memorial donations to Hospice Niagara (hospiceniagara.ca) would be appreciated by the family.