It is with saddened hearts we announce the passing of Howard (Howie) Elgin Smith on May 1, 2023. He was a wonderful husband, brother, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. Howie was born in Hamilton on August 27, 1932, to parents Frederick Francis and Olive Irene Smith (both deceased).
Howie will be forever remembered by his beloved wife of 69 years Margaret Patricia (Pat) Smith (nee Heywood), his loving daughters Lynn Andrews (Dave) and Janine Hann, his grandchildren Danielle, Kevin, Mallory (Michael) and Kendall and great-grandchildren Brooklyn, Banx and Violet. Brother to Ted deceased (Pat), Donald (Carol), Leonard deceased (Donna), Orman (Carol deceased), Mary (George deceased), Loretta (Bill), Cheryle deceased (Rob) and Brenda (Mike). He was also brother-in-law to Art (Marjorie) and Walt all of whom are deceased.
Howie enlisted with the Royal Canadian Navy on January 19, 1953, and served with the St. Laurent division on the HMSC Iroquois. While in the navy he traveled to many places including Korea, Japan, Holland and Egypt. In his later years he worked as a volunteer to help restore the maritime museum HMSC Haida that now sits in the Hamilton harbour. The Haida was a sister ship to the HMSC Iroquois on which he served.
Howie worked at Slater's Steel for over 35 years and later became a Commissionaire working security at the Hamilton Airport. After that he worked as a security guard for the Hamilton Board of Education until the age of 82. Howie was a member of the Dundas Legion. He enjoyed working on cars, doing home renovations and playing golf. He and Pat spent many winters in Florida prior to moving to Garth Trails where he loved to join in activities such as shuffleboard, cards, shooting pool and dancing up a storm with his wife Pat. Pat and Howie would have celebrated their 70-year anniversary on December 26, 2023.
Saturday, May 13th at 11:00 there will be an outdoor service for Howard near his final resting place. If attending please gather before 11:00 behind the office at White Chapel Cemetery 1895 Main St. West, Hamilton. You may prefer to join his family's "Celebration of Life" following the service from noon until 3 p.m. at Garth Trails Clubhouse 45 Abbotsford Trail, Hamilton, Ontario.
A special thanks to staff at St. Joseph's who assisted in Howie's palliative care. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Howard's name to the Alzheimer Society or the Heart and Stroke Foundation would be appreciated.