Gordon Kenneth Smith

Died: July 24, 2023, in Prince George, British Columbia

Age: 85

Predeceased by parents Alice and John, Brothers Ronald and Allan, Sister Lorna, and nephew Doug.

Survived by his loving wife of 60 years Margaret, Daughters Karen, and Cheryl (Andy) Grandchildren Catherine and Benjamin, nieces, nephews, and many Friends.

Gordon was born in Saskatoon, he moved to Calgary is his late teens to attend College. He worked for the Hudson Bay Company in Calgary and Edmonton before transferring to Dawson Creek then to Vernon where he met and married Margaret Prychidko. Soon two daughters arrived, and the family moved to Kelowna. Gordon worked for Safeway, then took a position with “The Lions Society for Crippled Children” which involved a lot of travel around the province. He then started working for O. B. Allan Jewellers and this transferred him to Prince George in 1973 to open the Jewellery stores here. He worked with the jewellery store for a few years then moved on to other opportunities with QM Industries. He really liked the jewellery business and returned working for Hyette’s Giftware and Jewellery. He then had the opportunity in 1984 to purchase a jewellery store of his own. It was originally called Golden Chalice. The name was changed a few years later to Gordon’s Fine Jewellery. He received the “Business Person of the Year” from the Prince George Chamber of Commerce in 1993. He thought retirement might be a good thing to do and closed the business in 2000.

But he really enjoyed being out and about and did several different jobs such as working for Elections BC, Elections Canada and Municipal elections, Merchandising, Catering and Volunteering.

He especially enjoyed his time as Marriage Commissioner performing wedding ceremonies for 710 couples over 10 years.

As Gordon loved to talk to people, he was the ultimate salesperson, one of his final jobs was working for Polar Refrigeration promoting furnaces and air conditioners at Costco and at the home show.

Gordon loved playing “Santa Claus” and was often called upon to visit on Christmas Eve.

He was a member of the Spruce City Lions Club and spent time volunteering for events such as “Beer Garden” at the Fall Fair and Christmas tree pickup.

He was a charter member of the Nechako Rotary Club and spent many hours volunteering for Operation Red Nose, Dictionaries for Students, and National Donut Day. He was Rotarian of the year in 2018 and received the “Paul Harris Fellowship” twice.

He loved volunteering at the Cougars games were he working at the pass gate for several years and as a goal judge for the last couple of years.

He was an active member of “Trinity United Church.”

Gordon loved to travel. Trips to Las Vegas, Hawaii, Finland to attend a wedding, Caribbean Cruise, Mediterranean Cruise. One of his final dreams was an Alaskan Cruise, but Covid cancelled the plans and illness made travel unadvisable.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to BC Cancer, Prince George Hospice or Spirit of the North Foundation.

A Celebration of Life was held at Trinity United Church, 3555 5th Avenue on Saturday, September 30, 2023.