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Benjamin MacGEORGE SMITH

Benjamin MacGEORGE SMITH obituary

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JA Snow Funeral Home

339 Lacewood Drive

Halifax, Nova Scotia

Benjamin SMITH Obituary

SMITH, Benjamin MacGEORGE Benjamin MacGeorge Smith, much loved by family and friends, passed away Monday, April 16, 2018 in Toronto. Ben liked to make his friends laugh and liked to listen to their concerns. He was a thoughtful, deep-feeling person with a love of music and the visual arts. Sadly, he had little more than 22 years among us; he died of an accidental opioid overdose. Our dear boy was born in Regina on January 29, 1996. The family moved to Halifax when he was four so he and his sister could be closer to their grandparents. Ben loved so many outdoor activities – swimming, hiking, running and canoeing. He adored his time at Big Cove Camp – first as a camper and later as a counsellor. He was also a good student, graduating from Citadel High with Honours and obtaining a medal as the top student in grade 12 in media studies in his graduating year, 2014. Ben studied at Ryerson University in Toronto before he left school to pursue the arts. He supported that work with jobs as a lifeguard, swimming instructor and most recently in a restaurant. Ben is survived by his parents, Sandy Smith and Sue Murtagh; his sister, Katie; his grandmother Greta Murtagh and an extended loving family including Anne Murtagh Coffin and Mark Coffin; Ruth and Earl Gordon, children Hannah and Nathaniel; Peter Murtagh and Marianne Minaker, daughter Sophie; Wendy Bethune, children Allison Cooper and Mark Bethune; Pam Bulpin, children Rich Bulpin and Debbie Martin; special cousins the Petrie family in England. The funeral service will be held at J.A. Snow Funeral Home on Lacewood Drive in Halifax, Friday, April 27th at 2 p.m. Reception to follow. Memorial donations may be made to Big Cove Camp (YMCA of Halifax - Dartmouth, Residential Summer Camps) or the charity of your choice. Friends in Toronto will remember him with an exhibit of his visual artworks on Saturday, April 28th at the Black Cat Artspace. To leave an online condolence, please visit www.jasnowfuneralhome.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Toronto Star on Apr. 23, 2018.

Memories and Condolences
for Benjamin SMITH

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19 Entries

Kelly James

May 3, 2018

To Ben's family and friends....
I am so saddened to here of Ben's passing.
I wasn't going to reach out at first, as it has been years, but I just had to.
I remember Ben as a little fellow in preschool.
He was the spitting image of his Dad. It made me smile, as Ben seèmed to enjoy this. He seemed so proud.
He was a sweet polite boy, with a sparkly smile.
It sounds like he lived his life that way...I'm glad that he did.
His obituary was honest and beautiful..I thank you for that.
Please take great care of yourselves and each other, in the days, months, and years ahead.
God bless each of you.
God bless Your Sweet Ben.
Kelly James

Jodi Smith

April 30, 2018

I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. My son Jesse Smith died of an accidental overdose, as well, January 1, 2016. My heart knows your pain. Please know that people are here for you through this difficult journey. 902-830-5634

Nadine Gauvin

April 30, 2018

My heartfelt condolences to the family. Sending love and courage during this very difficult time.

Sandy and Rheal Gousseau

April 28, 2018

Sue, Sandy, Katie and family: so sorry for your loss of your beautiful son and brother Ben. Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with you from across the miles in Manitoba.

April 27, 2018

Dear Sue. Sandy and family...our thoughts are with you on the tragic loss of your son Ben. He touched many hearts, and those hearts are aching today and for a long time to come.

Our sincere condolences,
Hugh and Kathy Chisholm

Gretchen and Bruce Phinney

April 27, 2018

Dear Sue, Sandy and Katie,

Each of us send our deepest condolences on the devastating loss of your very special Ben. Thinking of Ben brings a flood of Waeg Waves memories, where we met and watched Ben as a young swimmer. Ben was always poolside with a smile. Hanging and twirling on the metal railing while waiting for practice to start. Eating. We seem to remember Ben always having food in his hand. Laughing at Evan being assigned the task to escort Ben and teammate Nathan to the canteen at the Bedford swim meet with instructions: Just keep them out of mischief! The look on her face, one of: You're kidding me! Katie, I need help with this. Time trial nights, which usually included freezie pops, and Ben happy to assist handing them out knowing there was always an extra one for helpers. His smile, especially when a shenanigan was on his mind. The sisterly, but impatient glance Katie would give Ben with the look on her face that said: Yes, that's my little brother. And Ben's cannot stay still excitement' while waiting in the marshalling area for his race. Reading messages from your family and friends, it is clear Ben's excitement and enthusiasm followed him through his tragically short life. It is an honour to say we knew Ben. Our hearts hurt for each of you. We hope, eventually, that memories of Ben will help ease the heartache. Your pain is incomprehensible.

Gretchen, Bruce and Evan Phinney

Monica Moriarty

April 27, 2018

Words cannot express our deep felt sorrow for Sue, Sandy, Katie, Greta, Anne, Mark and extended family. The passing of someone so young who clearly impacted so many is difficult to accept. Yet the tributes we have read demonstate Ben's caring attributes that we should celebrate, cherish and practice. Our hearts go out to you during this difficult journey.
Monica and Brian Moriarty

Cynthia Gatto

April 27, 2018

Dear Sue,Sandy & Katie: I am at a loss for words in the face of this crushing loss. Although I didn't know Ben well, he seemed like a sweet boy, and had such promise. I hope you can find some comfort in the fact that you are surrounded by people who love and care for you. Lean on them. My deepest condolences

April 25, 2018

Our deepest sympathy to the family
Nina and David P.

Carolyn Hamilton

April 24, 2018

Sue and Sandy - I cannot express how heartsick I am for you, missing your beautiful son. Please know that your friends back on the prairies have you in our hearts.

Patricia Sitland-Marken

April 24, 2018

Dear Sandy and Sue, I did not know your son Benjamin, but you can feel his talent, spirit and zest for life through lovely your words about him. Thirty-nine years ago we all took that limo together to the high school grad dance and now we are the adults. Being an adult and parent can be hard, but it should never be this hard. Times like this are when your family and close friends will be there to keep you going and lift you up. Loving thoughts are coming, as well, from an old friend from the past.

Mark and Family

April 24, 2018

To the loving family of Benjamin:
Our prayers are in your behalf, so that "the peace of God" would dwell with you during this difficult time. Even during these sad times, your thoughtful courage will help others.

April 23, 2018

Dear Sandy and Sue,

I was shocked and saddened to learn this news from my colleague Sara Spears this past weekend. Ben was a great kid. I had the pleasure of being his junior high math teacher. He had the best sense of humour and was a true gentleman and a scholar in my eyes. He made a big impact on our school during his 2 years at Fountain Academy. The world will miss him.

Peace & Love,
Steve Tugwell

Molly Bannerman

April 23, 2018

Dear Benjamin's Family, I am so sorry for the loss of your son, friend, and loved one. I am part of the Toronto Overdose Prevention Society, and Benjamin's picture caught my eye in the newspaper. Thank you for posting that he died of an accidental overdose. Sometimes these realities go hidden and perpetuate shame. I loved what you wrote about him - he sounds like a creative, compassionate, and fun person. The world is lucky to have had him in it - although way too briefly. My thoughts are with you. ~ Molly

April 23, 2018

Sandy and family,
We are so saddened to hear of Ben's sudden passing.I (Ann) especially enjoyed working with Ben as a student in my class in grade ten.I remember him as a quiet thoughtful boy with an occasional burst of humorous commentary that made his classmates laugh. Ben touched many with his talents; we are keeping you in our thoughts as you mourn his loss.
Take good care, Ann Woodworth & Kevin Barnett, Halifax NS

Morgen Skinner

April 22, 2018

So so sad to hear this, to his family and all of my other friends from John W and the wave pool I am so sorry. We all know how amazing and hilarious Ben was. Xo

Karen & Darrell McKay

April 22, 2018

Sue, Sandy and Katie. Please accept our deepest condolences. Weve been thinking of you constantly since we heard the news about Ben, and cant imagine what you are going through. May your familys and friends love, strength, and support help you as you mourn your unimaginable loss. - Karen & Darrell

Erna, Craig, Avery & Nathan Clarke

April 21, 2018

Thinking of you all at this time. There are no words to express our condolences. Our memories of Ben and the Waeg swim team bring warmth to our hearts....

Showing 1 - 19 of 19 results

Memorial Events
for Benjamin SMITH

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JA Snow Funeral Home

339 Lacewood Drive, Halifax, NS B3S0E1