Jack was born on March 11, 1929 at Grace Hospital in Winnipeg. As a boy he spent many days in St. Vital with his older brother Ernie catching crawfish along the banks of the Seine River, helping his Dad, and visiting a local movie house and Piggly Wiggly’s candy store. 
When he was eight years old, Jack almost died of severe, chronic asthma in the dry prairie air; to save his life, his parents Henry and Elsie Smith (nee Robertson) moved their family of five to Victoria BC in 1937. Jack’s health was fully restored later after he met his loving wife Doreen, who looked after him and their children so well, and he enjoyed good health until late in his life. During his final years, Jack battled it out with a heart condition with the help of prayer and the same sheer will and determination that he had displayed as a “young whipper snapper.” In the end, Jack passed away in his sleep at Victoria General Hospital on October 16, 2023.
Jack and Doreen Smith (nee MacKay) married in 1952 and shared a deep love and appreciation for each other over all the years. The couple joyfully celebrated their 71st wedding anniversary less than a month ago with family members representing three generations by their side. Along with Doreen, Jack is also survived by his daughter Gloria, son Paul (Sarah), son David (Yumiko), grandchildren Laura, Michael, Brian, Emily and Rachel, and eight great-grandchildren. He will be deeply missed. Jack is now together in heaven with his beloved oldest daughter, Marilyn, who passed away earlier this year, son Philip who died as an infant, and his brothers Ernie and Mel.
From an early age, Jack developed a strong interest in electricity. Shortly after completing Grade 8 at Oaklands School in Victoria, he began 
working as an electrical apprentice on construction sites. In September 1945, Jack joined Local Union No. 230 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW). In 1947 he became a journeyman electrician and continued in the trade until his retirement in 1994. Jack thoroughly enjoyed being an electrician. He had extensive knowledge of the City of Victoria; every time Jack drove around another corner with his family, it seemed, they would encounter another building or home he had wired. Jack worked on many projects in every sector of the electrical industry: residential, commercial, industrial, and marine.
A life-long devoted Christian, Jack R. Smith loved the Lord Jesus and the scriptures. The old Plymouth Brethren hymn that begins: “My chains are snapped, the bonds of sin are broken; And I am free; Oh! Let the triumphs of His grace be spoken, Who died for me,” was one of his favourites. And another hymn of encouragement helped him through his final days: “Jesus Saviour pilot me, Over life’s tempestuous sea.”
Jack was a practical, hard-working, and courageous man who had a playful wit and a lot of fun over a life that spanned almost ten decades. He went wherever was required to support his family and dedicated much effort and imagination toward improving the beautiful home that he built for them at 3560 Redwood Avenue. Jack had the world’s best-fitting dentures and effortlessly gnawed through corn on the cob and made short order of thick steaks. He also revelled in having fun with words, using deliberately dated expressions, deploying often repeated jokes, and writing playful poetry. He enjoyed naps. A self-taught musical saw player, Jack participated with great enthusiasm in blue grass and other festivals in BC, Washington State, and California over the first 20 years of his retirement. In 2010, he finally returned to his hometown of Winnipeg again after a 73-year absence, where he remembered his old neighbourhood like the back of his hand.
Jack led a long and interesting life. His faith, good humour, and fortitude was an inspiration to his loved ones. Absent from the body, present with the Lord.
A graveside service will be held on Friday, October 27, 2023, Royal Oak Burial Park, procession at 12:45 pm. Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
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Beverley Smith
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David and Carol Our house backed onto Jack and Doreen’s house on Redwood so he was affectionately known as ‘Out Back Jack’. Jack, the electrician, had us cut down the ivy growing up the hydro pole before it reached the high voltage lines and arced to the ground. He helped restore our back porch and mix concrete for a path that’s still there. A dinner at our house with other neighbours was memorable when Jack fetched and played the saw for us all. It was good to see him a year ago when his son drove him up our street for a brief visit. Best to Doreen from us both.
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Bob Daykin Jack was a good friend and co-worker, we worked together on construction and at Victoria General Hospital. I worked with Jack for many years stating about 1960. He will be missed by me and many others.
Bob Daykin
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Mardee Nickerson Doreen and family, my condolences to you all on the recent passing of Jack and Marilyn’s passing earlier this year. May you take comfort in knowing they are with the Lord. Isaiah 26:3
Mardee (Saunders) Nickerson
Doreen and family:
On the passing of a brother-in-law, I send my condolences
Beverley Smith