Obituary of Chuck Smith

SMITH, Charles R. (Chuck) - Passed away on Thursday, August 22nd, 2013 at his residence in his 78th year after a short but courageous battle with cancer .Beloved husband of Judy. Loving father of Kerry (Doug) Fast and Doug (Chris) Smith. Dear Papa to Ally and Jay Fast, Alex and Thom Smith. Chuck was blessed with a second family and loved like a father by Randy (Leanne) Wilson, Robin (Tim) Deschamps ,Ken (June) Wilson and Jimmy (Anna) Wilson. Poppa Chuck to 16 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren, and of course, cherished Daddy to his loyal companion Jazzy. Also survived by sister Gloria, brother in law Jim, and sisters in law Pam (Ed) Gotts and Carol (David) Bowie as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Predeceased by his first wife Carolyn, his brother George, his sisters Mary, Betty and Jean, his sister in law Anne and his brothers in law Harry and Lloyd. Chuck was born in Millbrook, Ontario on November 12, 1935. He started his family in Peterborough and moved to St. Catharines in 1968. He started Charles R. Smith Insurance (now C.R. Smith Financial) in 1974 and retired in 1997. Chuck was an avid golfer his entire adult life but his true passion was giving back to the community. Although involved with numerous charities over the years, his heart belonged to the Wise Guys Charity Fund, the charity he started over 23 years ago. Chuck was chairman from the beginning and continued on as an enthusiastic and active honorary chair for the past 10 years. Fittingly enough, under his determined guidance his beloved charity surpassed the $2 million mark this past July, all raised and rolled back into his community. Nothing made Chuck more proud than the knowledge that his son, daughter and grandchildren now carry on his legacy. The family will receive visitors at the GEORGE DARTE FUNERAL CHAPEL, 585 Carlton Street, St. Catharines on Sunday from 7-9p.m. and Monday from 2-4p.m. & 7-9p.m. Funeral Service will take place at St. Columba Church on Tuesday at 11a.m. Burial at Pleasantview Memorial Gardens in Fonthill to follow. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to The Wise Guys Charity Fund would be appreciated by the family.