In Memory of

John

Westbrook

Smith

Obituary for John Westbrook Smith

SMITH, John Westbrook – born 22 October 1933 in Sudbury; died 4 August 2020 at Finlandia Village, Sudbury at the age of 86. Beloved husband of Jean (nee Vincent), predeceased. Only child of Harry and Margaret (Greig) Smith, both predeceased. Loving father of Valerie (Rob Vincent predeceased) of Oakville, and Brian (Mary), Vicki Jacobs (Chuck) and Lee (Jay Barbeau), all of Sudbury. Beloved grandfather of Emma Vincent Croft (Alex), Allison, Harry, Sidney and Hannah Smith, Jonathan Danyliw (Haley Cassio), Erin Danyliw, and Jessica Whittaker (Brendan Sullivan), all of Sudbury, and Rachel Vincent of Toronto. Great-grandfather of Winifred and Madeline. John grew up at Frood Mine, and attended Lansdowne Public School, Sudbury High School, Scollard Hall in North Bay, the Provincial Institute of Mining in Haileybury and graduated from Michigan Technological University with a degree in geological engineering. He started his career at Inco in 1959 as a mine geologist and retired in 1990 as manager of the Levack mining complex. If something interested Dad, he threw himself into it with a passion. As a hunter his shots were deadly accurate. He loaded his own shotgun shells. His fishing expertise was renowned, and he tied his own flies. Until about ten years ago, he was golfing 300 rounds a year, including in winters in Florida with Jean, making clubs for himself and others, and collecting stray balls to give as Christmas presents to his children. He was a natural athlete in his youth and maintained his physical strength until his decline. He loved camp, first at Lake Penage, then at McGregor Bay, and spent as much time there as he could. He mourned the losses of his beloved hunting dogs Beau, Jack, Mike and Kate, and his last dog Molly who was a house pet. Dad was always reading, listening and thinking. If asked his opinion on a topic, he would always respond with a well-thought-out answer. We will miss his wisdom. In lieu of flowers, donations to Finlandia Village Sisu Foundation would be appreciated. A celebration of life will be held at a future date. Arrangements entrusted to the Lougheed Funeral Home. For donations or messages of condolence, www.lougheed.org