Obituary
Paul Smith 1941-2022
It is with sadness that Paul’s family announces his death on December 19, 2022 at the North Bay Regional Health Centre. However, intertwined with the sadness, is the true joy Paul’s family feels because Paul is on to his Everlasting Life with God, our Father. Though Paul’s family is now experiencing measures of grief and will be deeply missing him as the weeks and months go on, the family will be keeping Paul tucked in their hearts and in their minds as they bring forth all the memories gently caressing their minds about Paul.
Paul was a husband, a father, a grandfather, an uncle, and a Great-uncle.
His loving wife, Mary Lou(Galinski), and Paul celebrated 50 years of marriage on August 19, 2022. Paul was predeceased by his parents, Clarence and Cleopha (Weiler) and by his in-laws, Walter and Theresa (Groulx) Galinski. Also predeceased by his sister Mary (Tighe) and by his infant granddaughter, Ruby Joy Thomas. Paul had a passionate love for his children: daughter Laura(Bryan Thomas) living in Barrow, Alaska and for his son, Andrew (Susan Hillman) living in Thunder Bay. This love from Paul bloomed more vibrantly as his grandchildren came into our family-Violet Emily Louise, Adele Marie Louise, and Ellis Francis Laurier Thomas. Then the blessing of grandchildren continued with the births of twins Ruby Jaye and Porter Paul Smith. How excited Paul became when his daughter and family or his son and family came for a visit! Their presence was like a balm for his soul. Paul and Mary Lou continued to chuckle about their little granddaughter Ruby’s comment one day last year. Paul was sitting in his wheelchair. He had not put on the prosthesis on his left leg. Three-year-old Ruby was playing on the floor with her Lego blocks. She looked up and noticed that Papa had no left leg. She looked perplexedly at Papa and said quite innocently, “Papa, where’s your Y EG? (a.k.a. L EG)
Paul had an abiding love for his extended family. He so enjoyed spending time with his brother-in-law, Peter Galinski. How much fun Paul and Peter had joking with each other as to which NHL team was better, the Toronto Leafs or the Ottawa Senators! Or the back and forth banter about the best choice for a governing Prime Minister of Canada. Peter’s family(Paul’s nieces and nephews): includes Lana and Steve Hoelke from Petawawa and Michael and Lynn Galinski from Streetsville. He was blessed with Great-nieces: Abigaile and Kadrienne and with Great-nephews: Adam. Keegan, Jesse and Brady. Cousins Loretta and Al Tessier and Aunt Carole’s visits from Brockville were sunshine for the family(and not just for the homemade loaves and soups!)The family thanks the extended family for their unconditional love and their support during all the good days and during the challenging health days in Paul’s life.
Paul received formation at the seminary in London and then went on to the University of Western Ontario for his Bachelor’s degree. He then completed his Master’s degree in Psychology at the University of Ottawa. His residence during his Master’s degree was located in the former, now run-down, Chinese Embassy. With some laughter, Paul used to say that those were character-building days (Chuckle); there was little money for food because of tuition and residence costs. (Remember eating left-overs and Swanson T.V. meals?! And there were little nighttime four-legged, furry rodents scurrying about! YIKES!) After completing his degree he began work at the former North Bay Psychiatric Hospital on Highway 11 north. He then moved to the Dr. Claude J. Ranger Mental Health Clinic on Main Street, East. Then there was a move to the next Out Patient Clinic from which Paul retired in 1998.(the former Teachers’ College building on Second Avenue) There were many stresses with his chosen vocation but also many edifying successes as Paul helped people look at themselves and assist them in trying to re-start and to re-align their lives.
Early on, even before the birth of his children, Paul created and maintained a Private Practice in Counselling in his home. Many, many people sought discussion with Paul for help in looking at their sometimes muddled lives. Paul always felt a commitment to listen deeply and respectfully to these people and made honest efforts to gently guide them in making new and safe and positive choices for themselves.
Paul and Mary Lou loved camping. These family adventures, in either a tent or a motor home, began when their children, Laura and Andrew, were just little ones. Everyone enjoyed the Quiet of camping, the smell of the campfire, the swimming, the Provincial Parks’ nature activities, the BIG CANOE rides and Mr. Croak’s nightly serenade.(Mr. Croak- was a resident, edge-of-lake bullfrog)
Paul’s faith in God’s unconditional love remained steadfast, even throughout new health challenges presented to him. For some years Paul was a lector at the Pro-Cathedral Church. He considered this his service to his parish and succeeded well in using his voice to help parishioners hear and internalize God’s message in Scripture. Paul’s music of choice was of the classical genre, thus, he sang heartily during the hymns at Mass times. (Mary Lou always made sure she leaned toward his voice so she could stay on key!)
The family is so grateful for the kind, respectful manner in which the medical staff of floor C1 at the hospital treated both Paul and Mary Lou during Paul’s stay the last week before death. All questions asked about Paul’s diagnosis and treatment plan were handled quickly, professionally, and respectfully. Most particularly, the family acknowledges the compassionate demeanour, the on-going support, the caring mannerisms, and the medical expertise of their family physician, Dr. M.D. O’Grady. Her visits during rounds were so very welcome.
Paul was a reflective, quiet, wise and thinking man who cherished his family, his extended family, former colleagues, and friends. Even on the night before Paul died, though he could no longer say the words aloud, his lips mouthed the nightly Hail Mary prayer with Mary Lou. With God firmly by our side and as we listen to the Holy Spirit, it is appropriate now, in the midst of our sorrow, for memory time, story-telling, gentle pausing, eating together, and indeed happy laughter.
Visitation is at the Hillside Funeral Services, 362 Airport Rd, on Tuesday, December 27 from 5 to 8 p.m. The funeral is at the Pro-Cathedral of the Assumption Church at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, December 28, 2022. The family joyfully invites and welcomes you to a luncheon in the church hall immediately after Mass. Donations to a charity of your choice or to the Pro-Cathedral Building Fund are welcomed.
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December 19 2022
Nous offrons nos plus sincères condoléances à la famille et aux amis de Paul Smith December 19 2022 et espérons que leur mémoire pourra être une source de réconfort pendant cette période difficile. Vos pensées et vos mots aimables sont grandement appréciés.
Décès pour la Ville:North-Bay, Province: Ontario