Second World War veteran Gordon Smith of Midland served his country with distinction and always wore a poppy with pride, says his daughter, Barbara West.
"He'd come over for dinner on Sunday wearing a suit and a poppy," she said.
The oldest and longest-serving veteran at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 80, Midland, died Oct. 30, a couple of months shy of this 100th birthday.
"We were really hoping he'd make it to 100," said West.
While a funeral has not yet been held, Smith has been cremated, but West has his poppy pin.
Smith followed in his father's, uncle's and grandfather's footsteps serving in the Royal Canadian Navy.
"It was definitely in his blood," said his daughter Barbara West.
Gordon joined Dec. 12, 1942 at the age of 17, after telling the recruiter he was 18, said West.
Gordon served in the Second World War aboard the HMCS Algonquin (R17) a V-class destroyer. His service took him to Atlantic and Pacific oceans and the Mediterranean Sea.
The Algonquin and its sister ship HMCS Sioux took part in the bombing of German warship Tirpitz and later provided gunfire support to the landings on Juno Beach, France in 1944.
Smith returned home and joined the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 80 (Midland) in 1946.
"He attended every Remembrance Day since 1946 on," said Ron Adair, branch president.
"He marched in the parade every year until he was 90," said West. "Three years ago we were at the service and it was so cold and father wouldn't leave. He was sitting in front of me shivering and I said 'Dad let's go' and he wouldn't."
Adair said Smith was very community spirited. He volunteered with the Red Cross, Meals on Wheels, he was a member of the Chamber of Commerce executive, he was on the United Church board, he was president of the church club, and also was involved with the Baptist church.
"He did everything," said Adair.
Back in Midland, Smith met and married Joan and had a son and a daughter. Now there's five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
"Yonge Street was all veterans' homes. He helped build his home and mom (who is 91), is still there," said West. "He was the last veteran left on the street.
Adair said Smith was very involved in the local legion.
"During his tenure at the branch, he held every position on the executive, except, because I say he was a smart man, president," quipped Adair.
"He was first vice-president, second vice-president, on the cemetery board, wreath chairman, poppy chairman, membership chairman, secretary. He did them all. He fell short of being president but I'd say that was intentional," said Adair.
"I remember as a kid, he'd take on all these responsibilities and every evening the phone rang," West said.
When Smith's health became fragile, he insisted on staying home. He didn't want to go into a care centre, said West, who organized home support, both publicly- and privately-funded.
"I didn't know who to reach to or what help was available but Ron (Adair) helped me tremendously. We've talked back and forth for the last five years."
West received financial assistance from Midland's Poppy Fund and Veterans Affairs Canada. Midland's Poppy Funds paid for items that helped keep Smith in his home such as grab bars, a commode chair and other items. Funds from Veterans Affairs helped pay for home help and a wheelchair.
"He couldn't have stayed at home without that equipment. It made a huge difference," she said.
Adair explained that all the funds from the Poppy Campaign go to local veterans. The money goes into a separate account in a separate bank and can only be used for veterans. Each Legion collects its own monies and uses them for its local veterans.
The Poppy Campaign continues until Remembrance Day, Nov. 11.
On Saturday, the Remembrance Day service takes place at the cenotaph on King Street, near the North Simcoe Sports and Recreation Centre, starting before the minute of silence at 11 a.m.
Branch 80 Pipes and Drums will lead the march back to the Legion at 196 Queen St. where veterans and their families will gather. A veterans' dinner will be held at the Legion at 6 p.m. with local cadets serving the meal.
