Rev. Howard Smith

A resident of Morrisburg for the past 19 years, Rev. Howard Donald Smith passed away at Winchester District Memorial Hospital on Wed., May 28, 2008. He was 84.
Howard was born in Toronto to Harold and Agnes Smith (nee Gorrie). He was raised in Toronto and after high school, he served with the army in the air force from 1943-45. In September of 1945, Howard entered teacher's college, and after graduation, taught school in Port Dover and Toronto from 1946-50. Howard then changed career paths, deciding that he wanted to spend his life in ministry. He studied at Toronto Bible College, the University of Waterloo, and Knox College and was ordained to the Ministry of Word and Sacraments in the Presbyterian Church of Canada on May 28, 1958. Howard passed away on the 50th anniversary of his ordination to ministry.
While attending Knox College Howard met Isabel Ward and they were married at Knox Presbyterian Church in Toronto on Sept. 15, 1956. Together as husband and wife they raised five children and served the congregations of Jarvis, Burlington, Ormstown, Norval, Winchester, and Timmins before retiring in 1989.
Howard was a man who walked the talk when it came to living a Christian life. He was a pastor who lived what he preached and his life was fully dedicated to the Lord. Howard took the privilege and responsibility of helping his parishioners make the connection between their lives and the teachings of the Bible very seriously. He loved and cared for all people. Howard was a patient listener with a very gentle and humble manner and continued to minister to others after he and Isabel retired, and to encourage them to seek a deeper relationship with the Lord Jesus.
Howard was an avid fan of the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Toronto Argos, and the Toronto Blue Jays. In addition to sharing his passion for sports with his children, he also instilled in them a love of books and reading. Howard's quest for knowledge and wisdom for daily living is a legacy that he has left for his children and grandchildren to follow. He enjoyed swimming and going to the family cottage and he was always keenly interested in the lives of his children and grandchildren. Howard was a blessing to all who knew and loved him.
Howard will be dearly missed by his wife of 51 years Isabel, his children Stephen of Barrie, Paul (Susan) of Winchester, Susan (Neil) Kittle of Winchester, and Mark of Vancouver, his five grandddaughters: Melissa, Meagan, Dana, Leah Ann, and Julia, and his siblings Murray of Barrie, Bruce (Dolina), and Thelma Line, and dear brother-in-law Edward Turner, all of Toronto. He was predeceased by his son Peter, his sister Jean Turner, and his brother Allan.
Friends called at the Marsden and McLaughlin Funeral Home in Williamsburg on Fri., May 30 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 pm. A memorial service was held at St. Paul's Presbyterian Church in Winchester on Sat., May 31 at 2 pm with Rev. Floyd McPhee officiating.
Donations to Winchester District Memorial Hospital or the World Vision Child Support Program would be appreciated by the family.