Obituary of Howard John Treweek Smith
To view the livestream of the service, please click HERE.
21st June 1937 – 24th April 2026 (88 years)
His preference was to be known as John. Son of Sidney George Smith and Muriel May Smith (nee Treweek), he was born in Hornchurch, Essex, England. Predeceased by infant son, Andrew James and sister Brenda Ellen Humby (nee Smith). He is survived by his wife, Janet Thomson Smith (nee Hutton) and sons Ian Philip Smith (Julia) of Rockwood, Ontario and Malcolm Douglas Smith of Nepean, near Ottawa. John and Janet were married for nearly 63 years and the talents and achievements of their sons made them proud parents.
John’s sister, Dr. Sylvia June McLauchlan, at 90 years young, resides in Staffordshire, England. Uncle to Nicholas Humby (Karen), Alison Hunt (James), Rosemary Goodman, Juliet Eadon (Desmond) and Elizabeth Coombes (Peter) and great uncle to their children. The extended family resides in England, Canada and Portugal.
John was educated at Chichester High School for Boys and Queen Mary College of the University of London gaining a B.Sc. degree and a Ph.D. degree. John and Janet married in Ilford, England in 1963 and came to Canada a year later in 1964. John taught Physics and Science at the University of Waterloo for 38 years. He excelled in teaching as he enjoyed the challenge of making physics and scientific concepts understandable. He was one of the first four professors to give a course in the beginning year of the University of Waterloo distance education program.
After retirement in 2003 he brought his scientific knowledge to seniors teaching lifelong education courses at Wilfrid Laurier University, Georgian Triangle in Collingwood and to Third Age Learning at RIM Park in Waterloo. He was an entertaining lecturer who was enthusiastic in explaining difficult scientific concepts to a wide audience.
A quiet and unassuming man with a gentle sense of humour, he was a skilled home handyman.
John’s deep Christian faith was reflected in his personal life and career.
Cremation has taken place. The Smith family have planned a Celebration of Life service to be held at the Church of the Holy Saviour (Anglican), 33 Allen Street East, Waterloo on Thursday 28th May at 11:00 am. Family and friends will gather after the service in the Church Hall for refreshments. We suggest wearing colourful clothes as this will be truly a celebration of a long life well lived.
Condolences and donations can be arranged through Erb & Good Family Funeral Home for the Parkinson’s Association South West Ontario, the ministry of the Church of the Holy Saviour, or St. John’s Kitchen and Working Centre, Kitchener, through www.erbgood.com.
Celebration of Life Service
