Obituaries

SMITH, Richard Leonard (Dick) 68, of Dutch Settlement, passed away May 30, 2019 at home with his loving wife, daughter, family and friends by his side after a short battle with cancer. Born in Watrous, SK., he was the son of the late Norman and Dorthy (Reay) Smith. Richard held just about every job under the sun at various points of his life, including working on a cruise ship, bricklaying and most recently building frames at the former National Art in Halifax. He lived in many parts of Canada from the Yukon and British Columbia to several locations in Nova Scotia. Richard enjoyed spending time with family and playing the punch buggy game with his daughter and grandkids. Even when he became sick you would find him running across the house every morning to get Sonya with the white VW Beetle that would drive by the house. He enjoyed collecting just about anything, fishing, playing darts and working with his hands. He made many wooden creations for friends and family in his workshop at home. Most of the time you would find him wearing his Grumpy shirt that he would wear to his granddaughters cheerleading competitions. He swore it is what gave the team the luck they needed to win. Every Christmas you would see him driving around in his Cube, which was lit up and decorated in Christmas lights, wearing his Santa hat and his white beard. He was passionate about the things he loved and always took pride in everything he did. He looked forward to visits from his cousins Betty and Jerry Deveau and knew it meant he would be getting some sort of seafood to enjoy. They never arrived empty handed. He also spent a lot of time clam digging with them over the years. Time with them was always cherished. He was most passionate about his family. He cared deeply for his wife, daughters and grandchildren and nothing made him smile more than when he looked at them. Every day he missed his twin daughters Nina and Michelle, who live in Alberta, and was overjoyed that in his final weeks he was able to spend time with them and his youngest grandchild, making lasting memories they could take home. Richard is survived by his wife of 38 years, Julia (Millard); daughters Sonya (Matthew) Veno, Truro; Nina (Mark) Garron, Edmonton, AB., and Michelle (Matt Dean), Millet, AB.; brothers Clyde (Marie) Lantz; Donnie (Donna) Smith, Medicine Hat, AB., and sisters Linda Hanley, Enfield; Laura Hines, Enfield, and Nancy (Ken) Smith, Millet, AB.; grandchildren Jaslynn, Aislinn, Dakota, Cassidy, Braden, Tanner, Ceilidh, Kendall and Hunter and many nieces and nephews cousins and friends. He was predeceased by his father Norman (1983) and mother Dorothy Smith (2001); brothers in-law Ed Hanley (2010) and Terry Hines (2006). Cremation has taken place. Richard’s family would like to thank Colchester VON nursing and home support and the Truro Palliative Care team for their care and support during his battle. Richard would also like to thank Truro All-Star Cheer and Tumble for its love and support for him and his family. A celebration of life will be held Saturday, June 8 at the Riverline Activity Centre, 80 Grono Road, Dutch Settlement, at 1 p.m. Everyone is welcome. Memorial donations can be made to the Richard Smith Truro All-Stars Memorial Scholarship Fund at epayments@truroallstarcheer.com. Online condolences can be forwarded to the family by visiting the Donald K. Walker Funeral Home website at www.donaldkwalker.ca.