Obituary of Rhoderick James Smith

Passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 11, 2016 at The Village at University Gates in his 92nd year. Formerly of Waterloo Heights. Beloved husband of Shirley Smith who predeceased him on July 23, 2012. Loving father of Rod and his late wife, Dawn, of Waterloo, David and Frauke of Mississauga and Dean and Rosanne of Mississauga. Sadly missed by his grandchildren, Brendan, Erin and Goran, Megan and Peter, and Alexander; Hana, Nicholas, and Naomi; Kesh and Marissa, Aurenn and Miro and great grandchildren Ronin Rakita and Lyra Smith. Loving step father to Michael and Deborah Schmitt and their daughter Kateland of Waterloo and Dan Schmitt and his children Natalie and David of Toronto. Sadly missed by his guardian angels, Kim, Ileshia, Natalie and Sabine. Predeceased by his parents, James and Aida Smith of Mississauga, and brother, Lorne and wife Jean of England. Rod was born in Guelph and lived his early life in Port Credit (Mississauga). He graduated from the University of Toronto in Civil Engineering in 1946 and played for the Varsity Blues Football team. Following graduation, he worked for Sun Oil in Montreal and played for the Montreal Alouettes winning the 1949 Grey Cup. Following his brief career in professional football, he worked in Columbia, South America for two years. As a civil engineer he contributed to the construction of Highway 401, University of Waterloo and the Conestoga Dam and served as President of the Ontario Sewer and Watermain Contractors Association and was an active member of the Optimist Club and Director of Chicopee Ski Club. After retirement, Rod and Shirley spent many years living in Oliphant and wintered in Myrtle Beach before returning to Waterloo in 2005. They enjoyed many trips to Europe throughout their life together. Following Shirley’s death, Rod was able to take a wonderful trip to Scotland returning to his family homestead in Carlyle, Scotland in addition to trips to Myrtle Beach. He enjoyed his many friends at Waterloo Heights, especially the morning ‘Coffee Club’ and evenings on the balcony enjoying a good cigar and a dram of Scotch. Cremation has taken place. At Rod’s request, a memorial service will be held at the Erb & Good Family Funeral Home, 171 King St. S., Waterloo on Saturday, December 17, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. with visitation prior to the service from 9:45 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. A reception will immediately follow the service. As expressions of sympathy, memorial donations to St. Mary’s Hospital Foundation or CNIB would be appreciated and may be arranged through the funeral home at www.erbgood.com or 519-745-8445.