It is with great sadness that the family of Willard Mervin Smith announces his passing at the age of 82, surrounded by loved ones at the Pontiac Community Hospital in Shawville, Quebec, on September 24, 2024. Willard was the son of the late Herbert Smith and the late Lillian McDonald and the loving husband of the late Paulette Smith (née Guindon).
He was a devoted father to Randy (Karen) and Mitchell (Jennifer) and a proud grandfather to Austin (Julie), Korbin, Cody (Carley), and Kiersten, as well as Poppa to four great-grandchildren. He is survived by his siblings, the late Della, Dawn (Terry Dolan), and Brent (Lucienne LaSalle), as well as his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Diane and Earl Ricard, Linda and David Schinkel, and the late Roger, Leonard, Eric, and Beverley. Willard will be greatly missed by numerous nieces, nephews, friends, and extended family.
The family expresses heartfelt gratitude to Claudette Stanton for bringing comfort to Willard’s later years and ensuring he was never alone. An avid fisherman in his youth, Willard spent countless hours on the Ottawa River, pursuing musky and pickerel. In his later years, he enjoyed trolling for trout on Findlay Lake with Buster McDowell. Willard also had a passion for woodworking, hunting, and wine-making, and he was known for his witty humor.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to the PSWs, nurses, doctors, and volunteers at Pontiac Community Hospital for the exceptional care provided to their father.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, October 1, 2024, at St. James the Greater Church in Portage-du-Fort, Quebec, at 11 AM, with interment to follow at the parish cemetery. Donations in Willard’s memory to St. James the Greater Parish would be greatly appreciated.
