Obituary of Owen William Smith

Surrounded by the love of his family, Owen passed away at McNally House Hospice on Friday, May 2, 2014 in his 90th year. He was predeceased by his loving wife Audrey (1996) of almost 50 years. Owen was the beloved father of Bette (Barry), Sandi (Bill), the late David (Mary), Owen T. and Rob (Sharon). Cherished and loving Pappa and Grandpa of Kerri, Jarrett, Jodie, Clarissa, Caitlin, Jenna, Hannah, Natalie and great-grandfather of Samuel, Finleigh, Paul, Julia, Audrey and Margot. Much loved brother of Vivian (the late Lovell), the late Doris (Fred), Betty (Art) and Marjorie (Jim). He will be sadly missed by his many nieces and nephews who have expressed their love for him. He will be deeply missed by his loving partner and best friend for 15 years Doreen McCallum and her children, Linda (Paul), Nancy (Chad), Ross (Madeline) and her grandchildren, all who dearly loved him and who adopted him as their own. Owen had a passion for the outdoors which was given to him by his grandpa Thomas Stephens, who also taught him how to fish and hunt. Owen was a life member of Stoney Creek Sport Camp and will be greatly missed by his fellow hunting members and his fishing buddies. He was a dedicated member for 25 years of Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters. Owen had a great impact on his family and the world he lived in. He was a lifelong volunteer. He was past Chairman of the Stoney Creek Parks Board and on the Saltfleet Highschool board. He was a charter member and past president of the Stoney Creek Optimist Club and a life member of the Hamilton Association of Community Living. He was also past president of the Peach Belt Minor Hockey League in Grimsby. Owen was an avid golfer and curler and long time member of Glendale Golf and Country Club. He was an active member of The Grimsby Probas Club. He had a strong faith in his God and was a faithful member of St. John’s Presbyterian Church in Grimsby. (Special thanks to Pastor Sean Astop) Owen and his father Clarence worked together at Owen W. Smith Construction, a 40 year venture in residential construction, building many homes and apartments in the Stoney Creek, Hamilton and Grimsby area. Special thanks to St. Elizabeth and Bayshore Nursing for their home care, palliative care teams at St. Joseph’s Hospital Hamilton (Dr. A. Boyle) and Niagara West Pallitive Care Team ( Dr. D. Marshall), and Owen’s Family Dr. S. Donaghy. Heartfelt thanks to the loving staff and volunteers at the McNally House Hospice, Grimsby. Friends will be received at the Donald V. Brown Funeral Home, 36 Lake Avenue Drive, Stoney Creek on Tuesday from 2-5 and 7-9 p.m. A Celebration of Owen’s life will be held at St. John’s Presbyterian Church, 10 Mountain St., Grimsby, on Wednesday, May 7, 2014 at 11 a.m. Cremation to follow. As an expression of sympathy, donations to McNally House Hospice, Grimsby, Ontario would be greatly appreciated by the family. Online condolences and notes of sympathy may be left at www.donaldvbrown.ca