JAMES ALLAN SMITH

Condolences & Memories (5 entries)

• I was saddened to learn of Jim's death, although I hadn't seen him for some 26 years. Jim and I began our aquaintanceship one day in The Paddlewheel in The Bay, where I was introduced to him by my brother, Ian, shortly after my return from a working holiday and hitchhiking trip in Britain and Continental Europe. We took to each other immediately because, like me, Jim had a fancy to see something of the world. In fact, we soon commemorated that common interest by departing on a hitchhiking trip together to Vancouver. One episode from that journey remains embedded in my memory forever. Somewhere before the Rockies we got a lift with the driver of a half-ton truck. He turned out to be a fellow from Blackpool in Lancashire who had immigrated to Saskatchewan and bought a farm there. I can't remember where he was headed to, but when we got into the mountains he turned off the road to bed down for the night. Jim and I unfurled our sleeping bags in the open back and sguiggled into them, while our driver unloaded a horse's saddle and a blanket. He then stretched himself on the ground with the saddle supporting his head, pulled his cowboy hat down over his eyes and settled for sleep. About 20 minutes later he rose and stashed his saddle and blanket into the cab and then got in too. Night is rather cool in the mountains. In the morning, the vehicle pulled out once more onto the road and gathered speed, while we two friends lingered in our warm sleeping bags, contemplating the retreating line of mountains to either side of the highway. Where our driver stopped to let us off before turning off the road, I no longer recall, but from that time on he was always known to us as the Blackpool Cowboy. In those days, I talked to Jim a lot about England and when I returned to that country with my wife, Jim and his wife, as well as two other friends and their wives joined us. Jim remained for two years in England before deciding to return to Canada. What I remember most about Jim at that time was his unflagging zest for life, his criticism and mockery of bourgeois society and his instinct to make jokes about everything. May he rest in peace. Colin (and Judith) Wingfield - Posted by: Colin Wingfield (Friend) on: May 15, 2019

• I was saddened to hear of Jim's passing. I had the privilege of working with him on projects back in eighties and early nineties with Earth Corp, the environmental - social justice organization he helped found with Terry Maddin and others. I remember them introducing the concept of community gardens in West Broadway, and the massive bicycle and sports equipment recycling projects which helped hundreds of children either get a bike of their own or play sports. Based at that time out of places such as West Broadway CC or Crossways in Common, I was struck by the creativity and sheer ambitiousness of the things they took on - motivated as they were by a powerful commitment to provide practical help to people in the community. You were a good man Jim. You'll be missed. - Posted by: Joseph Warbanski (Friend) on: May 12, 2019

• I would like to offer my condolences to the family. I knew Mr. Smith from my time at Gordon Bell. He was a great teacher. Very popular. I am saddened to hear of his passing. - Posted by: Linda Buckmaster (Former student ) on: May 11, 2019

• I am so sorry to hear of Mr. Smith's passing. He was an awesome teacher to me in GB Grad of '83. I was also blessed to see him again when my kid and I got called to the Grant Park Vice Principle's office to discuss my kids behavior and when I walked in that office and saw it was Mr. Smith - I was so happy and thought - awesome its Mr. Smith. My son, however, was at a loss for words. lol... My condolences to all who loved him. xo - Posted by: Sherry Beardy (My teacher at Gordon Bell ) on: May 11, 2019

• My thoughts and prayers are with you and yours at this sad time. Mr. Smith was an excellent teachers and better human being. All who knew him benefited from knowing this wonderful man. Yours Very Truly, With Highest Regards, Shayne Lewis - Posted by: Shayne Lewis (Student) on: May 11, 2019