Obituary for Roland Calvin Smith
SMITH, Roland Calvin
With heavy hearts, our family announces the passing of Roland Smith on September 28, 2021, at the age of 79, after a courageous battle with cancer. He will be deeply mourned by his cherished and deeply loved wife Barbara (nee Prince). They met in 1962, not long after he first came to Toronto in 1961. After sweeping her off her feet, they were married on February 2, 1963.
Roland was born on April 14, 1942 in Bishop’s Cove, Newfoundland to the late Ralph and Rebecca Smith (nee Vokey). He was the youngest of twelve children. Loving brother of Ralph (Jean), Isaac (Lorraine) and Sybil Taylor (the late Ted). Brother-in-law of Doris Smith and Winnie Smith.
Predeceased by his brothers and sisters; Josiah, Virginia Gifford (the late Bill), Patsy Gosse (the late Ron), Azariah (the late Helen), Chesley, Elizabeth Mercer (the late Max) Marcella Newman (the late Howard) and a baby sister Gwen.
Loving brother-in-law of Marina Barrett (the late Nathaniel) (Lloyd Molyneaux), Ivy Prince (the late Gerald), Cynthia Maloney (Leo) Mabel King (Allan), Glenys Duke (Maurice) and Rosalind Prince. Predeceased by sister-in-law Eileen Spurrell.
A very special uncle to Gloria Morgan (Boyd), the late Terry Barrett (Brenda), Bernice Rose (Cyril), Denise Crane (Kirk) and Shelley Kraft (Steve). Survived by many, many nieces and nephews, who each have a unique memory and place in their hearts for their Uncle Roland.
Roland completed his working career at Quebecor Printing in Aurora but spent most of his working career at McLean Hunter Printing in Toronto, where he was the Supervisor of Purchasing in the Printing Department. He also worked at Burroughs Business Machines as a young man.
Roland was a very talented artist creating model boats and beautiful oil paintings. He even taught himself to sew and went on to make all of the draperies in their home. A family favourite was a sculpture he made of the RCA dog to sit by the antique gramophone.
Roland’s love of singing and playing guitar was well-known and enjoyed by many from all over especially remembering friends from his Church and at their winter home at Briar Creek in Safety Harbor, Fl and as recently as their new home at Sunrise of Aurora. Some of us have his CD’s and videos on YouTube which will continue to remind us of his talent. He and Barb returned often to Newfoundland, mainly to Charleston, Barb’s home as a young girl, and to the Bishop’s Cove area, where he grew up.
Along with his wife Barb, he marched with the McLean Hunter Pipe Band as a drummer. His other passion was collecting antique toys and his thrill of finding them. However his pride and joy was his frost turquoise coloured 1967 Mustang. He and Barb could be seen on sunny days heading out for a drive, full of smiles.
After Roland (Rolly) retired, he spent several winters in Florida with Barb, enjoying many happy occasions with a large group of family and friends. Back at home in Newmarket, he was a dedicated volunteer at St. Paul’s Anglican Church, often cutting lawns, providing entertainment, helping with BBQ's and many other handy man jobs. He and Barb were part of a large group of walking enthusiasts, known as The Mall Walkers who met at the Upper Canada Mall regularly for years.
Above all, Roland’s greatest skill was his people skills. He was able to bring people together, while making every individual feel like they were the most important person in the room. There are few people that were as easy to speak with. He always made you feel loved and appreciated.
Our family is forever grateful for the incredible expertise and kindness of all the doctors, nurses and staff at Southlake Regional Hospital for taking such care with both Uncle Roland and Aunt Barb.
In memory of Roland, donations can be made to Southlake Regional Hospital at http://southlake.ca or a charity of your choice.
Roland was also a lifetime blood donor. If you’d like to become a donor, visit blood.ca. For more information on visitations and service, which are limited due to covid restrictions, please see roadhouseandrose.com
With heavy hearts, our family announces the passing of Roland Smith on September 28, 2021, at the age of 79, after a courageous battle with cancer. He will be deeply mourned by his cherished and deeply loved wife Barbara (nee Prince). They met in 1962, not long after he first came to Toronto in 1961. After sweeping her off her feet, they were married on February 2, 1963.
Roland was born on April 14, 1942 in Bishop’s Cove, Newfoundland to the late Ralph and Rebecca Smith (nee Vokey). He was the youngest of twelve children. Loving brother of Ralph (Jean), Isaac (Lorraine) and Sybil Taylor (the late Ted). Brother-in-law of Doris Smith and Winnie Smith.
Predeceased by his brothers and sisters; Josiah, Virginia Gifford (the late Bill), Patsy Gosse (the late Ron), Azariah (the late Helen), Chesley, Elizabeth Mercer (the late Max) Marcella Newman (the late Howard) and a baby sister Gwen.
Loving brother-in-law of Marina Barrett (the late Nathaniel) (Lloyd Molyneaux), Ivy Prince (the late Gerald), Cynthia Maloney (Leo) Mabel King (Allan), Glenys Duke (Maurice) and Rosalind Prince. Predeceased by sister-in-law Eileen Spurrell.
A very special uncle to Gloria Morgan (Boyd), the late Terry Barrett (Brenda), Bernice Rose (Cyril), Denise Crane (Kirk) and Shelley Kraft (Steve). Survived by many, many nieces and nephews, who each have a unique memory and place in their hearts for their Uncle Roland.
Roland completed his working career at Quebecor Printing in Aurora but spent most of his working career at McLean Hunter Printing in Toronto, where he was the Supervisor of Purchasing in the Printing Department. He also worked at Burroughs Business Machines as a young man.
Roland was a very talented artist creating model boats and beautiful oil paintings. He even taught himself to sew and went on to make all of the draperies in their home. A family favourite was a sculpture he made of the RCA dog to sit by the antique gramophone.
Roland’s love of singing and playing guitar was well-known and enjoyed by many from all over especially remembering friends from his Church and at their winter home at Briar Creek in Safety Harbor, Fl and as recently as their new home at Sunrise of Aurora. Some of us have his CD’s and videos on YouTube which will continue to remind us of his talent. He and Barb returned often to Newfoundland, mainly to Charleston, Barb’s home as a young girl, and to the Bishop’s Cove area, where he grew up.
Along with his wife Barb, he marched with the McLean Hunter Pipe Band as a drummer. His other passion was collecting antique toys and his thrill of finding them. However his pride and joy was his frost turquoise coloured 1967 Mustang. He and Barb could be seen on sunny days heading out for a drive, full of smiles.
After Roland (Rolly) retired, he spent several winters in Florida with Barb, enjoying many happy occasions with a large group of family and friends. Back at home in Newmarket, he was a dedicated volunteer at St. Paul’s Anglican Church, often cutting lawns, providing entertainment, helping with BBQ's and many other handy man jobs. He and Barb were part of a large group of walking enthusiasts, known as The Mall Walkers who met at the Upper Canada Mall regularly for years.
Above all, Roland’s greatest skill was his people skills. He was able to bring people together, while making every individual feel like they were the most important person in the room. There are few people that were as easy to speak with. He always made you feel loved and appreciated.
Our family is forever grateful for the incredible expertise and kindness of all the doctors, nurses and staff at Southlake Regional Hospital for taking such care with both Uncle Roland and Aunt Barb.
In memory of Roland, donations can be made to Southlake Regional Hospital at http://southlake.ca or a charity of your choice.
Roland was also a lifetime blood donor. If you’d like to become a donor, visit blood.ca. For more information on visitations and service, which are limited due to covid restrictions, please see roadhouseandrose.com