Herbert Alfred Smith, passed away peacefully at St. Mary’s Hospital, Kitchener, on Wednesday, May 04, 2022, just shy of his 100th birthday.
Herb was born in Edmonton, Alberta on September 11, 1922 to the late Harold and Florence (nee Hancock) Smith.
Herb was a Flying Officer and Navigator in the Royal Canadian Air Force in WWII. During the war, he was attached to 158 Squadron (Bomber Command, Lissett), taking part in night raids over Germany in a Halifax bomber and saw the war end back in Canada while he was training for the Pacific Theater. He was very fortunate and grateful to be able to come home when so many did not, including his brother Doug, who served in the Lincoln and Welland Regiment.
After the war, Herb attended the University of Toronto where he achieved a Master of Arts in physical geography. He married Eleanor in 1950 and subsequently worked in government positions, notably with Planning and Development at the Province where he worked on notable projects including the establishment of the Heart Lake Conservation Area. After a period, he returned to university and gained his teaching certificate. He taught high school geography for a number of years in Scarborough and then ultimately secured a position at Chesley District High School as Principal in 1967 and where he rounded out the rest of his career. He will be fondly remembered by his colleagues as well as the many students that passed through CDHS doors during his tenure. In Chesley, he was an active member of the Rotary Club and the Anglican Church. Later on, he was very active in the Hanover branch of the Royal Canadian Legion.
Survived, and missed immensely, by his four children, Anne (David) Grant of Teeswater, Graham (Ginnie) Smith of Hanover, Paul (Vicki) Smith of Waterloo and Fraser (Kathy) Smith of Toronto. Much loved grandfather of Matthew, Emily, Laura, Jessica, Heather, Robyn, Christopher, Alexander, Jonathan, Ryan and Adam as well as his nine great grandchildren. Predeceased by his parents, his beloved wife of 65 years, Eleanor (nee Pollard) and his two brothers Douglas Smith and Ronald (Nora) Smith.
Memorial donations can be made to the Bluewater Education Foundation (for which he was instrumental in acquiring the property for the Outdoor Education Centre on the Bruce and for which the funds would be used), the National Air Force Museum of Canada Foundation (Trenton), or the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum (Hamilton). Herb visited the restoration of the Halifax bomber in Trenton a number of times and was overjoyed to see it completed.
To honour his wishes, cremation has taken place and a private family graveside celebration of life will be held. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the care of Mighton Funeral Home, Hanover.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Herbert Smith 2022..
Death notice for the town of: Hanover, Province: Ontario