David Lloyd George Smith

The Celebration of Life for David L.G. Smith will be held in the Clyde Avenue Baptist Church, Sydney Mines, NS, on Saturday, June 20, at 2pm with a reception to follow in the church hall. The committal service and internment will take place thereafter in the Lakeside Cemetery, North Sydney. All are invited. No flower please. Memorial donations may be made to the church or a charity of one's choice. Arrangements are under the care of Fillmore & Whitman Funeral Home.

David Lloyd George Smith - Age 95, of Beverly's Hill near Baddeck, formerly of Sydney, passed 16 November, 2014. Born, 23 February, 1919, and educated in Sydney Mines, the eldest son of George and Lydia (Rice) Smith.

Survived by his daughter Beverly Ann (David Grubb); son David Rice (Goldye); grandchildren David (Deborah) and Heather (Darren Derksen) and great grandchildren (Quinlan Smith and Spenser, Oliver, and Zachary Derksen). Also sister Helen and "in-laws" Winnifred and Kaye, Ron Hall, Richard & Leona MacNeil, and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife Margaret (MacNeil), siblings Hugh, George, and Virginia (James Cameron), and "in laws" Malcolm & Patricia MacNeil, Gerald & Jean Kaine, Edna MacNeil, Anne Hall, Donald & Gloria MacNeil, and Stewart & Helen West.

After graduating from high school, David began working in the Royal Bank in North Sydney. During World War II, after training as a fighter pilot and navigator, he transferred to RCAF 428 (Ghost) bomber squadron where he completed two tours of duty, including 42 missions, being shot down once and parachuting to safety on the English coast, and "D Day" trainer.

On returning from the war, David resumed working with the bank at various locations until in 1950 he moved to Sydney to join the stock brokerage firm of GE Leslie & Co Ltd. He remained with the firm through a number of mergers and became Manager of the branch until his semi-retirement circa 1980. He continued as a stock broker and investment advisor until almost 1990.

Around 1968, David and Margaret moved to their summer place where he could spend more time with his gardens, orchards, bees, chickens, and especially his prize roses (won awards at Northside Rose Shows). He was known for his grafting skill and numerous apple varieties, as well as plums, pears, grapes, and peaches.

A member of the Sydney Rotary Club where he was heavily involved with the Canadian Cancer Society. He also participated in other activities such as Northside Yacht Club, Seaview Golf Club, and curling.

A member of the Royal Albert Lodge #19, Cape Breton Lodge of Perfection 14, Valley of Sydney Scottish Rite, and Philae Shriners, Baddeck Arm of Gold Shrine Club, and International Shrine Clown Association where he was an active participant in the Clown Unit for many years raising funds for the Shriners Hospitals for Children.

While in the Baddeck area, David became heavily involved in the county and community affairs. He was an active member of Greenwood United Church where he served as Elder and Treasurer for many years. He was a member of County Council for a number of terms, instrumental in getting the Baddeck Curling Rink started where he was skip of the year in its first year of operation, and Vice President responsible for the Canada Games Highlands Events held at Cape Smokey. He was also very active in the Progressive Conservative party serving as constituency president. He was a member of the Baddeck Yacht Club and Free Wheelers.

A member of the Royal Canadian Legion Victoria Branch #53 and an active participant in school visitations around Remembrance Day.

In his earlier years an avid tennis player (NS Doubles Champ with his uncle Walter Rice), outdoorsman, hunter and fly fisherman, he built his first motorboat. In later years he turned to environment protection and conservation involved in organizations such as The Bras d'Or Stewardship Society, Nova Scotia Landowners and Forest Fibre Producers Association, Ducks Unlimited Canada, Nova Scotia Bird Society, and the Canadian Wildlife Federation.

Both David and Margaret were interested in genealogy and were knowledgeable in all their family trees. He was particularly keen on the Rice family, a long-time member of the Edmund Rice (1638) Association making contributions to a number of articles and books by researchers and authors.

David continued to be involved in Air Force Association of Canada, The Halifax Aircraft Association, Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum, No 6 (RCAF) Group Bomber Command Association, C W H Lancaster Support Club and made a number of trips to England to attend a reunions, including visiting the Whetter family who boarded him during the war.

David was baptised as a youth at the Clyde Avenue Baptist Church, 114 King Street, Sydney Mines, B1V 1M4, where he was still a member and a service of celebration will be held in June, 2015. Interment will be held following the service at the Lakeside Cemetery, Johnston Road, North Sydney. Cremation has taken place and there will be no visitation by family request.

David supported a number of Christian organizations and charities on an annual basis and in lieu of flowers, encourages memorial donations to the church, or a charity of your choice.