With sadness, we announce the passing of Paul Smith on July 17th, 2019. Paul was predeceased by his first wife, Ann Maxine Smith. He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Jeanne Smith; children, Noel Smith (Tass Elsdon) of Vancouver, BC, Robi Smith (Mike Allard) of Gatineau, QB, and Cliff Smith (Stephanie Smith) of Parksville, BC; grandchildren, Isobella Elsden, Declan Elsdon-Smith, Taryn Smith-Tysick (Ahmed), Quinn Smith-Tysick (Giscarde), Brandon Smith, and Kyra Anderson.
Paul was raised by his mother and grandfather in Winnipeg, Manitoba on a dairy farm. In 1952 at the age of 24 he joined the Royal Canadian Air Force, 408 Goose Squadron. Their motto was "For Freedom" and they were part of the S.H.O.R.A.N operation. This stood for Short Range Aid to Navigation. This system was initially used to guide aircraft to bomb release points in the war. The 408 squadron used this system in the Arctic flying in Canso's and Lancaster's doing geo mapping and photo reconnaissance identifying radar sites, and surveying the Arctic. Paul spent time installing Radar in the Arctic and he worked on the Mid Pine Tree Line and Mid Canada Defense Line looking for Radar sites for the D.E.W Line.
In 1957 he left the air force and worked for Marconi Electric in Winnipeg, working on FM Doppler radar until he left to join the Department of National Defense in Quebec installing and consulting on Radar. In 1975 he then went to work for Transport Canada at Place de Ville Ottawa Telecommunications Electronics Quality Assurance, until his retirement in 1985. In Paul's career he had set up radar across the arctic and in a sleepy little town with no road called Tofino on Vancouver Island. It was this experience that led him to spend some time on Vancouver Island and decide to spend his retirement here. They first settled in Parksville and then moved to Nanoose Bay in 2008.
Paul especially enjoyed his time in the Arctic and Tofino and shared many wonderful stories of his time there. He was an incredible storyteller and even better wine maker. He loved the outdoors and enjoyed time with his family at their cottage on Barnes Lake in QC, and vacationing at Myrtle Beach. He loved dogs, boating, fishing, wine making and tinkering with electronics. He lived a full and healthy life and died just shy of his 91st birthday, at home in his bed with his wife by his side as per his wishes.
We will miss this incredible man, his stories and his wine. We will hold his memory fondly in our hearts.
Please raise a glass to a life well lived.
To send a condolence to the family please visit www.yatesmemorial.ca
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