Obituary of Bennett James Smith

SMITH: Bennett James (Jim). A resident of R.R.#1 Morpeth, Bennett James (Jim) Smith passed away at the Village Long Term Care Residence, Ridgetown on Saturday, January 27, 2007 at the age of 79. Born in Ridgetown, son of the late Bennett and Genevieve (Locke) Smith. Beloved husband for 56 years of Ella (Lilley/Hull) Smith. Dear father of Patricia Smith of Goderich, Michael Smith and wife Joanne of Chatham, John Smith of St. Lambert, Quebec, and Debbie Smith and Stuart Bos of Kitchener. Grandfather of Dan Smith and Wendi, Nathan Smith and Mary, Nicholas Smith and Priscilla, Jenna Smith, Sarah Anderson, Megan Anderson, and Hope Anderson. Great-grandfather of Alyssa-Jo, Brooklin, Searra, Hannah, Asia, and Graham. Brother of the late Jean Alexander and Dorothy Bellinger. Brother-in-law of Allen and Kay Lilley of Wallacetown, Mac and Anne Lilley of R.R.#1 Dutton, Donald and Pat Lilley of R.R.#1 Dutton, Flossie Paton of Dutton, Sadie and Harley Blancher of St. Thomas, Ann and Peter Vereycken of Mt. Bridges, June Mundinger of Glencoe, and Peggy and Ken Gowan of R.R.#1 Dutton. Also survived by a number of nieces and nephews. Jim was a Funeral Director with Locke & Co., Ridgetown until 1950. He also operated Locke & Co. Furniture until 1989. Jim served as a town Councillor for several years, was very involved with the Salvation Army, and the Canadian Power Squadron. He was passionate about woodworking. Family will receive friends at the McKinlay Funeral Home, 76 Main Street East, Ridgetown on Wednesday from 2:00-4:30 p.m. and 7:00-9:00 p.m. Funeral Service will be held at the Funeral Home on Thursday, February 1, 2007 at 1:30 p.m. Interment in Greenwood Cemetery, Ridgetown. Donations by cheque to the Alzheimer's Society of Chatham-Kent, Canadian Diabetes Association, or the Heart & Stroke Foundation would be appreciated. Special thanks to the staff at Fairfield Park, Wallaceburg and the Village, Ridgetown for the special care given to Jim. McKinlay Funeral Home, 76 Main Street East, Ridgetown, Ontario (519)674-3141.