Obituary for Petrus Johannes "John" Smits
It is with deep sadness that the family of Peter John Smits, age 93, announces his sudden and peaceful death in his home at Meadowside Manor in Stratton, Ontario on March 17, 2021.
John was born in Sheho, Saskatchewan on October 22, 1927. His family settled in Fort Frances during the depression years and John started his working life when he was fourteen years old. On August 28, 1951 he married Juliette Audette and in 1956 they moved to Stratton when he bought his father’s farm.
Over the years, John worked in many industries. He established the first artificial insemination business in the west Rainy River district and the improved quality of the local dairy herds was a direct result of this venture. Sheep farming replaced dairy farming at the same time John established his construction business, but when disease destroyed the flock he settled into full-time construction (locally, far north, and past Thunder Bay). Many houses, barns, commercial buildings, docks, and inns remain as a legacy of his construction years.
John officially retired in 1987, although he periodically took on special, smaller projects for his family, the recreation council, and the church. He was an avid curler and a well-known figure in the district (and especially at the Country Corner Café), where he was proud to make his home.
John’s life was supported by three strong, fundamental values that acted as his pillars: family, faith, and friends. He was loving, empathetic, compassionate, resourceful, and giving, with a reputation for getting things done. He was a caring and loving husband to Julie, his partner of almost 70 years, a devoted father of 7 girls, and a role-model for his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He balanced a deep seriousness with a strong sense of humour and play, and will be greatly missed.
John was predeceased by: his parents, Harry and Anna Smits; his sister Jeanne (and her husband Vic) Belanger; his brothers Laurent (and his wife Doris) Smits and Harry (and his wife Lorraine) Smits; the late husbands of his surviving sisters, Ike Balcewich, Jack Dillon, and Ross Anderson; his son in law, Robin Malcolm; and various parents, brothers, and sisters in law, namely Joseph and Delima Audette, John and Lucille Audette, Andre and Helene Audette, Bernard Audette, Alma and Ed Haver, and Jan Audette.
John is survived by: his wife Juliette; his sisters Francise Anderson, Jose Balcewich, Anna (Lyle) Busch, Marie (Cliff) Cunningham, Laura Dillon, Edith (Ken) Funk, and Leona (Gerry) Rucker; his daughters Joan (Gilles) Leclerc, Julie (George) Ball, Laura (Doug) Jordens, Helen Malcolm, Anne (Len) Zaboroski, Mary (Eldon) LaRocque, and Theresa (Carlo) Rea; his grandchildren, Jonathan (Mandy) and Michael (Megan) Ball, Darian (Alyssa Rochford), Johlen (Melissa), and Justin (Gillian Smith) Jordens, Anthony (Serena), David (Raija), and Gilles Leclerc, Chanda (Alex) McAuley, Adam (Erica Gudnason) and Collin (Rovita) Malcolm, Daylan (Abigail) and Landon (Bethany Potter) Rea, Jeanna (Kevin Boulet) and Paul Zaboroski; his great-grandchildren, Tyler and Alexis Ball, Edison Black, Elena, Leo, Luca, Brielle, Olivia, Pia, and Davis Leclerc; Claire and Blake Heyens-Ball, Emma, Peter, and Lydia Jordens, Lucas McAuley, Emelia Rea, and Jessie Taylor; in laws Aili Audette, Steve (Marilyn) Audette, Marie DeGagne, Helen Nault; and numerous nephews and nieces.
A private (due to Covid restrictions) funeral mass will take place on Friday, March 26, 2021 at Our Lady of the Way Catholic Church in Pinewood, Ontario; with internment at Immaculate Conception Cemetery in Stratton, Ontario.
John was born in Sheho, Saskatchewan on October 22, 1927. His family settled in Fort Frances during the depression years and John started his working life when he was fourteen years old. On August 28, 1951 he married Juliette Audette and in 1956 they moved to Stratton when he bought his father’s farm.
Over the years, John worked in many industries. He established the first artificial insemination business in the west Rainy River district and the improved quality of the local dairy herds was a direct result of this venture. Sheep farming replaced dairy farming at the same time John established his construction business, but when disease destroyed the flock he settled into full-time construction (locally, far north, and past Thunder Bay). Many houses, barns, commercial buildings, docks, and inns remain as a legacy of his construction years.
John officially retired in 1987, although he periodically took on special, smaller projects for his family, the recreation council, and the church. He was an avid curler and a well-known figure in the district (and especially at the Country Corner Café), where he was proud to make his home.
John’s life was supported by three strong, fundamental values that acted as his pillars: family, faith, and friends. He was loving, empathetic, compassionate, resourceful, and giving, with a reputation for getting things done. He was a caring and loving husband to Julie, his partner of almost 70 years, a devoted father of 7 girls, and a role-model for his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He balanced a deep seriousness with a strong sense of humour and play, and will be greatly missed.
John was predeceased by: his parents, Harry and Anna Smits; his sister Jeanne (and her husband Vic) Belanger; his brothers Laurent (and his wife Doris) Smits and Harry (and his wife Lorraine) Smits; the late husbands of his surviving sisters, Ike Balcewich, Jack Dillon, and Ross Anderson; his son in law, Robin Malcolm; and various parents, brothers, and sisters in law, namely Joseph and Delima Audette, John and Lucille Audette, Andre and Helene Audette, Bernard Audette, Alma and Ed Haver, and Jan Audette.
John is survived by: his wife Juliette; his sisters Francise Anderson, Jose Balcewich, Anna (Lyle) Busch, Marie (Cliff) Cunningham, Laura Dillon, Edith (Ken) Funk, and Leona (Gerry) Rucker; his daughters Joan (Gilles) Leclerc, Julie (George) Ball, Laura (Doug) Jordens, Helen Malcolm, Anne (Len) Zaboroski, Mary (Eldon) LaRocque, and Theresa (Carlo) Rea; his grandchildren, Jonathan (Mandy) and Michael (Megan) Ball, Darian (Alyssa Rochford), Johlen (Melissa), and Justin (Gillian Smith) Jordens, Anthony (Serena), David (Raija), and Gilles Leclerc, Chanda (Alex) McAuley, Adam (Erica Gudnason) and Collin (Rovita) Malcolm, Daylan (Abigail) and Landon (Bethany Potter) Rea, Jeanna (Kevin Boulet) and Paul Zaboroski; his great-grandchildren, Tyler and Alexis Ball, Edison Black, Elena, Leo, Luca, Brielle, Olivia, Pia, and Davis Leclerc; Claire and Blake Heyens-Ball, Emma, Peter, and Lydia Jordens, Lucas McAuley, Emelia Rea, and Jessie Taylor; in laws Aili Audette, Steve (Marilyn) Audette, Marie DeGagne, Helen Nault; and numerous nephews and nieces.
A private (due to Covid restrictions) funeral mass will take place on Friday, March 26, 2021 at Our Lady of the Way Catholic Church in Pinewood, Ontario; with internment at Immaculate Conception Cemetery in Stratton, Ontario.