John Robertson SMITH
March 22, 1921 – April 26, 2013
John passed away on April 26, 2013 in Parksville, BC. He was predeceased by his parents John “Jack” and Christina (Malloy) Smith; brother Bruce G. Smith; sister Evelyn Qually and loving wife Joyce P. Smith.
Father to Cheryl (Maurice) Servant of Sylvan Lake, Alberta, Gary (Marlene) of Calgary, Alberta, Lorisa (Terry) Ganes of Birch Hills, Saskatchewan, and Tracy Smith of Calgary; grandfather of Shane, Rachel, Kyla, Christopher, Tim, Micheal, and Kristie; great-grandfather of Hailey, Alyssa, Jaymin, Alexys, Nathanial, Kailyn, Carsen, Shelby, Brandi, Kaleb, Brody and Kira; brothers James “Jim” R. Smith of Parksville, BC and Victor M. Smith of Victoria, BC; and many past and present friends in Moose Jaw and La Ronge, Saskatchewan and Parksville.
Born in Lethbridge, Alberta on March 22, 1921, he volunteered for active duty with the Royal Canadian Air Force in November 1940, at the age of 18. John achieved the rank of Sergeant while serving with the 419 RSU (Repair Salvage Unit). His active duty included time spent in Britain and Europe. John was awarded 5 active duty medals. He and his unit landed on Juno Beach D-Day plus 1 (June 7).
After the war ended, he returned to Canada and married the love of his life, Joyce James in 1945. They moved from Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan to La Ronge, Saskatchewan in 1960, with their four children. John worked for Co-op Fisheries in La Ronge as a refrigeration engineer until his retirement in 1982.
John was one of 5 founding members of the La Ronge Royal Canadian Legion Branch 371. In 2012, he was awarded his 50 year pin for service with the Legion. John and Joyce were both very active legion members in the community. He played an instrumental part in the development of the golf course as well as the Don Allen Ski Trails in La Ronge.
La Ronge was home for John and Joyce until 1995 when they relocated to Parksville, BC. John had a dry sense of humour and enjoyed a good laugh. He purchased his first computer at the age of 75 and kept his mind sharp by learning to do all his banking online. John was also an avid reader.
His family and friends admired, loved and respected him and he will be sorely missed.
A private interment took place at Yates Cemetery on Wednesday, May 1, 2013 at 2:00 pm. Please consider a donation in John’s memory to the Arthritis Society or Heart and Stroke Foundation.
To send a condolence to the family please visit www.yatesfuneral.ca
YATES FUNERAL SERVICE & CREMATORIUM
(250-248-5859) in care of arrangements.