Smith, Jack
(December 16th, 2019)
Jack Smith, 91 years of age, passed away peacefully in Nelson, BC on November 23, 2019. He was born November 2nd 1928 in Swansea, Wales.
Jack is predeceased by his parents Emrys, Henrietta Ester, and his sister Muriel. Left to mourn is his wife and best friend of 65 years, Bertha, along with children Deborah (Brenda), David (Marnie), Judith (Darren) and grandchildren Emma and Rhys. Jack is also survived by numerous family located around the world.
Jack enjoyed a warm and wonderful upbringing in Swansea, surrounded by a vibrant, extended family. Jack was eager to spread his wings after completing his education as a Professional Engineer. He started his career working for The Anglo-Iranian Oil Company in Abbadan. His next great adventure saw him moving to Ontario, Canada with his bride, on their honeymoon. His engineering background took a focus on pulp and paper production which would lead Jack and his new family to experience living in Vancouver, Hinton and Port Alberni.
Jack remained true to his Welsh roots and participated in the Vancouver Welshman’s Choir as well as Welsh and Scottish Country Dancing. Soccer was a passion and he was a coach, referee and member of the executive in Port Alberni, where the family lived for 30 years. After semi-retiring, Jack and Bertha moved to New Zealand and as a consulting engineer aided in modernizing that country’s pulp and paper industry.
After fully retiring, Jack and Bertha moved to the Kootenays and settled at 9 mile on Kootenay Lake. Jack enjoyed the wonderful view this location provided and the garden. Jack loved swimming in Kootenay Lake and would always describe the water as “refreshing” even when others knew that the water was chilly.
The family would like to thank members of the IHA Home Support Team, the Hospice Society, Paige Lennox, Dr Kirsten, Karla (Dr. Kirsten’s office), Carla Klein and the staff on the 3rd floor of the Kootenay Lake Hospital.
Cremation has taken place and a Celebration of Jack’s Life will be held in July, his favourite month, at the family residence at the lake.
The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to your favourite charity.
“Do not go gentle into that good night” Dylan Thomas
