Vernon Embleton Smith

January 20, 1937 – March 7, 2018

Vern was born in London, England, the eldest son of George and Corona (Knight) Smith. Throughout his life, he recalled attending school as a child during the Second World War, carrying his personal gas mask with him every day. He especially remembered the rigorous food rationing in place in Great Britain at this time. In 1949, Vern came to Canada with his parents and siblings, Helen and Ken.

They first settled in Montreal and then moved to Toronto, where Vern completed high school and later attended the University of Toronto, financing his education by working in mines during the summer months. He graduated from U of T in 1960 with a Bachelor of Applied Science (mining engineering).

He was a lifetime member of the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum, and also of the American Institute of Mining, Metallurgical and Petroleum Engineers. In the spring of 1960, Vern was pleased to be hired by Cerro de Pasco, an American company with extensive mining properties in Peru. Immediately after graduation, he left for Peru to begin his career in mining.

Throughout his working life, as well as Peru, Vern worked in Honduras, Mexico, Panama, Bolivia and Canada, holding positions with various large mining corporations such as Cominco, Falconbridge and Hudson Bay Mining and Smelting. Being possessed of a severe wanderlust, this suited him very well. Around 2007, Vern retired and moved to Panama, where he lived for part of every year until a debilitating stroke prevented him from continuing to live on his own. As well as travel (especially road trips),

Vern loved reading, mining, attending baseball games with Brendan and Stuart and running (later walking). He also had a fondness for cats. He was predeceased by his parents. He is survived by his children: Lorelei (Andrew) of Toronto, Stuart of Vancouver (who spent many hours with his Dad after his return to Canada, keeping him company and seeing to his comfort), Rosamond of Vancouver, Brendan of Kamloops, and by his (separated) wife, Judy, of Coquitlam. He is also survived by family members in Ontario. The family would like to thank the staff of Arbutus Continuing Care Centre for their kindness, compassion and excellent care during the three years that Vern spent with them. A family graveside service will be held.