Elam Bryce Smith
April 03, 1925 – July 08, 2022
The family of Bryce Smith reluctantly announces his passing in his 98th year.
Bryce is predeceased by his loving wife of 58 years, Esther Margaret Schneller, son Ivan Bryce Smith, father Elmer Pomeroy Smith, mother Iva Pearl Monk and stepmother Leola Fox.
Survived by children Gary and wife Marilynn Facey, Catherine Andrews and husband Scott, grandchildren Christopher and wife Blye, Michelle and partner Kevin, Lindsay and partner Corey, Robert and wife Jenny, Laura and husband John, Julie and partner Adam, Corinna and partner Kyle, Blair and partner Anne-Marie.
Also survived by great grandchildren Finnlee, Bryson, Preston, Carter, Riley, Morgan, Jordan and Jackson.
Predeceased by siblings and their spouses Garfield (Mildred Taylor), Douglas (Mary Turnbull), Bruce (Ruth Moir), Helen (Donald Rice); In-laws, Norman Crooker, Clyde Taylor, Bob Smith, Bill Watts, Bob Turnbull, Arthur and Mary Schneller, Harold and Louise Schneller, Clarence Schneller, and cousin Rosemond Limebeer.
Survived by siblings Murray and wife Marguerite, Carolyn (Crooker) Taylor, Marilyn Smith, Josiah Beckwith (J.B.) and wife Elizabeth, Keith and wife Sheila, Alice Watts, Gerald and wife Shirley; sisters-in-law Eleanor Turnbull, Edna and husband Murray Sandham; cousins Geraldine Meacham and Lucille West, and many nieces and nephews.
Bryce learned the value of a dollar at age 14 with his first job scuffling corn behind a team of horses for a dollar per day plus lunch from Jim Blow east of Springford. This required him to ride a bicycle 3 ½ miles to and from work. At age 15 he next worked in an Ingersoll factory making ammunition for the war effort for 25 cents per hour six days per week. He walked, ran, road a horse or bicycle 3 miles to catch a ride to Ingersoll. He then worked for George McElhone stripping tobacco. George soon offered him a full time job plus board. He took on this venture before turning 16 and lived and worked for George for the next 4 years. His Aunt Winnie Monk cautioned him about working for George because she was afraid one of George’s 5 daughters could lead him astray. George treated Bryce like a son, encouraging him to do the right and honest things in life… and he did. At the age of 20 he decided to get into the trucking business. His favourite motto for a while was “pitch it on, pitch it off”. That was in reference to loading manure onto his truck without a loader and unloading without a hoist. In 1947 he met the love of his life, Esther Schneller, and they married in 1948. They first rented a house with no bathroom, a kitchen sink with no drain and no lawnmower. Their only mode of transportation was his dump truck. In 1950 they bought a farm in Springford and there they raised Ivan, Gary and Cathy. In 1965 he sold his trucking business and farmed full time raising hogs. In 1988 they sold their farm to move to Tillsonburg. After losing Esther in 2007 he sold his house and, with persuasion from his good friend, Gerald Wilhelm, he bought a condominium at Tillson Landing. While living in his condo he enjoyed playing cards, especially with his new friend, Celine Riviere. At age 94 he decided he was tired of cooking, sold his condo and moved into Harvest Crossing, an independent living retirement community. His declining health took over and he passed.
Bryce’s family would like to thank Reverend Karlene Brown-Palmer, St Paul’s United Church, for her visits to our father, family doctor John Andrew for many years of service, Diane Murray Palliative Coordinator and staff Woodstock Hospital, Manager Patrine Frey and staff at Harvest Crossing Retirement Community and Dr. Eric Thomas for his compassionate care in our father’s final days.
Bryce donated his body to the Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, the University of Western Ontario.
Memorial donations can be made to St. Paul’s United Church or the charity of your choice.
His final journey has been entrusted to Ostrander’s Funeral Home Ltd, 43 Bidwell St., Tillsonburg.
A graveside service and celebration of life will be announced at a later date.
Personal condolences and memories can be shared at www.ostrandersfuneralhome.com
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Bryce Smith Friday July 8th 2022..
Death notice for the town of: Tillsonburg, Province: Ontario