Tim (Thomas L.) Smith

SMITH, TIM (Thomas Leslie) – With love and wonderful memories, we announce the passing of Tim (Thomas Leslie) Smith, in his 89th year. He was born 31 Aug 1926 on the family farm in the Township of Stanbridge, QC and died on the 17th of May 2015 at Hospice Wellington in Guelph, ON. He is predeceased by his parents, Charlie (Charles) Smith and Dorothy Smout; his siblings, Richard, George, Kay (Kathleen) and Buck (Harold); and his first wife of 58 years, Arlene Corey. He is survived by his second wife, Claire Duquette of Guelph, ON; his daughter, Dawn Smith of Sidney, BC; his step-family, Shirley Smith and Jacques Coderre of Binghamton, NY; Laurence Coderre of Berkeley, CA; Tristan Smith, Marie-Eve Tardif, and their daughter, Océane, of Saint-Rémi, QC; and Georgina Smith of Montreal, QC; sisters- and brothers-in-law; nieces and nephews; cousins; and many friends. As a teenager, Tim enlisted in the army and was stationed in St-Jean, QC. The end of WWII was declared before he was deployed. In 1948, he and Arlene married, and they moved to Red Lake, ON in 1952, where they lived for over 50 years. He worked for Ontario Central Airlines, getting to know people across the North. He was always willing to lend a hand to all who came to his door. He was a gentle man, treating everyone with kindness and fairness. Tim was a life member and past president of the Canadian Legion Branch 102 and served on the building committee for the Legion Manor. He was active in the Masons, having joined in 1950, in Stanbridge East, the Grand Lodge of Quebec. In Red Lake, he belonged to the Grand Lodge A.F. & A.M. of Canada in the Province of Ontario, Chukuni Lodge 660. He was also a Kinsmen. He sang in the church choir. He liked to read, cook, and try new recipes. He was always ready for a game of cribbage. He was an avid sportsman. He loved to hunt and fish. He was a good golfer, curler, and bowler, and an enthusiastic fan, especially of baseball, having played shortstop in his younger days for the Eastern Border League in Quebec. In 2007, he married Claire and settled in to his happy, new life in Guelph. These last few years, he could be found painting in his home studio or in his workshop making picture frames. He continued to be active, preparing for he and Claire’s upcoming move to their new apartment at The Village at Arbour Trails in Guelph. He was interested and curious and lived a full life. He will be missed. The family wishes to acknowledge the teamwork of DVA, CCAC, and the various agencies and staff that helped Tim remain at home as long as possible. Thank you to everyone at Hospice Wellington for their compassionate care. Special appreciation to Danny Liu of Prime Care Pharmacy Arboretum, the Rev. Don Parr, the Rev. Emmy Beauchamp, Janet Nairn M.D., and Michael Taylor R.N. for their availability to Tim and family. No visitation. A celebration of Tim’s life will take place at 3 pm, Wednesday, May 20th at the WALL-CUSTANCE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 206 Norfolk St., Guelph, ON. Interment will be at a later date in the family plot in the Ridge Cemetery, Stanbridge, QC. Donations may be made in Tim’s memory to the Cancer Society; Hospice Wellington, 795 Scottsdale Drive, Guelph, ON, N1G 3R8; The Red Lake Regional Heritage Centre, P.O. Box 64, Red Lake, ON, P0V 2M0; The Missisquoi Museum, 2 River St, Stanbridge East, QC, J0J 2H0; or a charity of your choice.