The family of James Barrie Smith, beloved husband of Melinda Corneille, father to Christopher (Laura) of Burbank California, David (Misao) of Brooklyn, New York, grandpa to Quentin, Hannah and Liam, dear brother to Ginnie Vrooman, Ellen Williams, Bob Smith and Cathy Giles, uncle to numerous nieces and nephews and doting parent to his dog Spike, is sad to announce his passing on August 2nd, 2021, at Ottawa General Hospital, in his 79th year.
Born and raised in Amherst, Nova Scotia, Barrie distinguished himself in a province-wide high school math contest, which led to an electrical engineering degree at McGill. That was just the start of his travels, as Barrie joined Bell Canada, initially working up in Frobisher Bay on Baffin Island. He met his wife, an American flight attendant, when she was on a layover in Ottawa, beginning a whirlwind romance that saw them making their first home there. Both free spirits, they would move their family to Sudbury, then Mississauga. From there they embarked on a five year adventure working for Bell International in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, which allowed them to travel the world together. Upon their return to Mississauga, Barrie’s love of family, dogs, sailing, and the Canadian wilderness meant much time indulging in all the above on his sailboat in Georgian Bay. He also took on challenges bigger than himself, generously making time to volunteer with the Canadian Cancer Society. His continued love of the outdoors led to a retirement in Haliburton, where he would hike with his dog, no matter the weather. Barrie & Lindy’s curiosity about the world spurred their involvement with Friendship Force, where they shared their love of Ontario’s cottage country while hosting families from all over the world, and were in turn guests in homes across several continents. His tireless energy, his acerbic wit, and most of all, his love, will be sorely missed.
In lieu of flowers the family asks donations to be made to the Canadian Cancer Society.
Friends are invited to visit at the Central Chapel of Hulse, Playfair & McGarry, 315 McLeod Street (at O’Connor) on Sunday, August 15, 2021 from 1pm to 2pm EDT, with attendance by RSVP on the funeral home website at www.hpmcgarry.ca. A Memorial Service in the Chapel will follow at 2pm EDT, with attendance by RSVP on the funeral home website.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of James Barrie Smith Monday August 2nd 2021..
Death notice for the town of: Ottawa, Province: Ontario