Obituary for Gerald Smith Sr.
It is with profound sadness that the family of Gerald John Smith announce his peaceful passing at Bethammi Nursing Home on January 25, 2019 at the age of 80.
Jerry was born in Port Arthur, Ontario on November 7, 1938 the first son of Harvey and Laura Smith. He was employed in the family business, Lakehead Freightways, his entire working career until his retirement in 1990. He married Carmel Manduca on September 26, 1959 and had two wonderful children, Gerald Mark and Carrie Marie.
A devoted family man he enjoyed travelling with his wife and children, family meals and puttering around the house. He lived modestly and wasn't one for pomp and ceremony, preferring the simple things in life. Jerry was an avid fisherman and golfer who enjoyed both with his brother-in-law Robin Thompson and good friend, Stewy MacKinnon.
He had a great sense of humour and a strong work ethic that he instilled in his children and expected in everyone. His remarkable penmanship was noticed by all from the greeting cards he wrote to the often lengthy instructions he left to those around him. He was a perfectionist and paid attention to the smallest details, often to the annoyance of his family. He enjoyed news in all forms and loved to read multiple newspapers everyday. A big 'c' and small 'c' conservative he was always open to a fulsome 'discussion' where he was seldom wrong; at least in his own mind!
Jerry loved frequent trips to local casinos and gambling jaunts with his brothers and sisters who shared a similar desire for 'high stakes' Keno, trying to conquer the nickel and sometimes even the quarter machines.
Jerry wasn't a Catholic or a very religious person but tried to live his life by following Christian values, as well as encouraging his wife and children to practice their Catholic faith.
Unfortunately, his wife Carmel passed away in 1987. In 1990 he married Edna Sheridan and moved to Seattle, Washington. Since that time he has lived in Pompano Beach, FL, Kansas City, MO, and Tacoma, WA. In October 2016 he returned to Thunder Bay with advanced Parkinson's disease and dementia. In March 2017 he became a resident of Bethammi Nursing Home where he received excellent care from Dr. Landsdale, the nurses, and the hard working, caring and dedicated PSWs on the 3rd floor.
Jerry was predeceased by his wife Carmel, father Harvey, mother Laura, mother and father-in law Pasquale and Helen Manduca, sister Carolyn Gladun, brother Frederick(Jim) and sister-in-law Colleen Smith, son-in-law Naz Tozzo, brothers-in-law Peter Manduca, Eno DelBen, Robin Thompson and Jim Manduca, as well as sisters-in-law May Manduca, Mary Lambert and Sylvia Manduca.
He is survived by his wife Edna, son Dr. Gerald Smith(Jacqueline) and daughter Carrie Tozzo,, grandchildren Laura Tozzo(Cory Bruno), Salvatore Tozzo, Gina Tozzo and Jessica Smith, as well as stepsons Larry and Chuck(Annie) and step-grandchildren, Brandie, Brian and Kaylee, sister Loralyn LaDelle(Donald), brother Harvey Jr., brothers-in-law Sonny Manduca(Louise), Tony Manduca( Carol ), Bill Gladun(Linda) and sisters-in-law Lily Manduca(Ian Shaw), Jackie Manduca, Rose Thompson and Helen Del Ben, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, January 31, 2019 at 11 a.m. in the Sargent & Son Funeral Chapel, 21 N. Court Street, with Msgr. P.M. Stilla presiding. Services will be complete in the chapel with cremation to follow. Visitation for friends will be held on Wednesday, January 30th from 5-7 p.m. in the Sargent & Son Chapel where the Vigil Service will begin at 7 p.m. If friends so desire, donations may be made to: Parkinson Canada or St. Andrews Dew Drop Inn. On-line condolences may be made at www.sargentandson.com.
Jerry was born in Port Arthur, Ontario on November 7, 1938 the first son of Harvey and Laura Smith. He was employed in the family business, Lakehead Freightways, his entire working career until his retirement in 1990. He married Carmel Manduca on September 26, 1959 and had two wonderful children, Gerald Mark and Carrie Marie.
A devoted family man he enjoyed travelling with his wife and children, family meals and puttering around the house. He lived modestly and wasn't one for pomp and ceremony, preferring the simple things in life. Jerry was an avid fisherman and golfer who enjoyed both with his brother-in-law Robin Thompson and good friend, Stewy MacKinnon.
He had a great sense of humour and a strong work ethic that he instilled in his children and expected in everyone. His remarkable penmanship was noticed by all from the greeting cards he wrote to the often lengthy instructions he left to those around him. He was a perfectionist and paid attention to the smallest details, often to the annoyance of his family. He enjoyed news in all forms and loved to read multiple newspapers everyday. A big 'c' and small 'c' conservative he was always open to a fulsome 'discussion' where he was seldom wrong; at least in his own mind!
Jerry loved frequent trips to local casinos and gambling jaunts with his brothers and sisters who shared a similar desire for 'high stakes' Keno, trying to conquer the nickel and sometimes even the quarter machines.
Jerry wasn't a Catholic or a very religious person but tried to live his life by following Christian values, as well as encouraging his wife and children to practice their Catholic faith.
Unfortunately, his wife Carmel passed away in 1987. In 1990 he married Edna Sheridan and moved to Seattle, Washington. Since that time he has lived in Pompano Beach, FL, Kansas City, MO, and Tacoma, WA. In October 2016 he returned to Thunder Bay with advanced Parkinson's disease and dementia. In March 2017 he became a resident of Bethammi Nursing Home where he received excellent care from Dr. Landsdale, the nurses, and the hard working, caring and dedicated PSWs on the 3rd floor.
Jerry was predeceased by his wife Carmel, father Harvey, mother Laura, mother and father-in law Pasquale and Helen Manduca, sister Carolyn Gladun, brother Frederick(Jim) and sister-in-law Colleen Smith, son-in-law Naz Tozzo, brothers-in-law Peter Manduca, Eno DelBen, Robin Thompson and Jim Manduca, as well as sisters-in-law May Manduca, Mary Lambert and Sylvia Manduca.
He is survived by his wife Edna, son Dr. Gerald Smith(Jacqueline) and daughter Carrie Tozzo,, grandchildren Laura Tozzo(Cory Bruno), Salvatore Tozzo, Gina Tozzo and Jessica Smith, as well as stepsons Larry and Chuck(Annie) and step-grandchildren, Brandie, Brian and Kaylee, sister Loralyn LaDelle(Donald), brother Harvey Jr., brothers-in-law Sonny Manduca(Louise), Tony Manduca( Carol ), Bill Gladun(Linda) and sisters-in-law Lily Manduca(Ian Shaw), Jackie Manduca, Rose Thompson and Helen Del Ben, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, January 31, 2019 at 11 a.m. in the Sargent & Son Funeral Chapel, 21 N. Court Street, with Msgr. P.M. Stilla presiding. Services will be complete in the chapel with cremation to follow. Visitation for friends will be held on Wednesday, January 30th from 5-7 p.m. in the Sargent & Son Chapel where the Vigil Service will begin at 7 p.m. If friends so desire, donations may be made to: Parkinson Canada or St. Andrews Dew Drop Inn. On-line condolences may be made at www.sargentandson.com.