Gerald Smith

Gerald Steadman Smith

Gerald passed away peacefully at Queensway Carleton Hospital on Sunday May 17, 2015 after a nine month battle with cancer and kidney disease. He was born December 15, 1929 in West Head, Cape Sable Island, Nova Scotia. Dearly beloved husband to Anna (Oliver) for 57 years. Special Dad to Melanie Gladwin; Karen (Scott) Larson; Jeffrey (Karen) Smith; Roxanne (Carl) Smith; grandchildren Steven (Kristal), Jeremy, Travis (Kathryn), Hope (Adam), Benet, Paige, step grand daughter Abby; two great grandchildren Ethan and Kate; several nephews and nieces and sister-in-law Betty June Smith. Gerald was predeceased by his parents Benjamin and Lottie (Steadman) Smith, brother Sidney, sister Dellas (Smith) Nickerson and infant sister Lottie.

Gerald grew up on the light station at Cape Sable, Nova Scotia where his father was light keeper. It was here that his creativeness and sense of wonder was lit and he developed a keen interest in all natural phenomenon, especially bird life and astronomy. After graduation from Clark's Harbour High School he enlisted in the RCAF where he served for five years as a radar technician. He then worked at the same trade at Fairey Aviation, Dartmouth Nova Scotia and eventually as a Technical Illustrator at the same company. As his interest in fine art developed he attended evening classes at the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design in Halifax and later enrolled at Mount Allison University in Sackville NB where he earned a BFA Degree (with distinction). He then went on to study at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon where he earned his Master's Degree in Fine Art. Following graduation he taught in the off-campus program at the University and several community colleges in Saskatchewan. After Anna's transfer to Ottawa he taught evening classes at the Ottawa School of Art for over 20 years. He loved teaching and was a great encourager of others trying to develop their skills. He had a vast knowledge and unsurpassed enthusiasm for art history which he readily shared with others.

Gerald was an active member of the Foyer Art Gallery, OWWA gallery and previously at the Kanata Civic Gallery. His artwork is in many public and private art collections. He is particularly well known for his large portraits and seascapes. For more information on his art please see his website: www.geraldsmithartstudio.com.

For many years he served as a Deacon at Steven's Road Baptist Church in Dartmouth, NS. In Ottawa he attended Kanata Baptist Church and he produced a large mural for the church foyer and a smaller triptych in the Library.

Friends are invited to a visitation at Tubman Funeral Home, 3440 Richmond Road on Friday, May 22 from 7 – 9 pm. A celebration of Gerald's life at Kanata Baptist Church, 465 Hazeldean Road, Kanata on Saturday, May 23, at 11 am. Following cremation he will be interred in Nova Scotia at a later date.

Many thanks to family and friends for their unwavering support and to the staff at Queensway Carleton Hospital for their care and concern; to CCAC staff, Carefor Nurses and St. Elizabeth PSW's Shirley Van Ness and Sharlin Purdy.

In lieu of flowers please donate to your favorite charity.