Peter Smith

SMITH, Peter - Peter Fredrick Smith passed away at his Milton home on Monday April 6, 2009 in the loving arms of his family. "The Great Smitty" was a gentle, thoughtful man with an irrepressible sense of humour and an army of committed friends. He was grateful for the stream of intimate friends who visited him in the final week of his life, to share one more close moment. "Smythe" is survived by Susan, his best friend, passionate soul mate and wife of 29 years. He will be eternally missed by his daughters Carly and Hayley, of whom he was so glowingly proud. Peter Smith was born in Liverpool England, on October 31, 1946 and emigrated with his parents to Toronto's Lakeshore in 1957. He was predeceased by his parents Mary and Alec. His British family includes Auntie Nicky Reed of London, who contributed to his legendary sense of humour and very close cousins Mary and James Tarr of Vieux Cerier, France. Peter will be greatly missed by sister-in-law Nancy Banting of Aurora, longtime family friends Liz and Girvin Russell, his children's godfather John Granger, the Lakeshore boys of Camp Run-Amok, and his first friends in Canada, Dave Billington and Dave Cherevaty. The two Daves and "Smithy" remained loyal buddies for 52 years. Peter is also mourned by Randy Nicol and his longtime Wardair friends and hockey teammates and the Milton Sunday Morning Pleasure League. Smitty was a charter member of the TGs -- The Great Smitty, The Great Toddy, The Great Bosco, The Great Milt -- who spent nearly four decades lovingly sharing each other's highs and lows. Smitty wrote the soundtrack to the TG's lives. Peter Smith played competitive hockey until he was 60 and was an avid record collector, music lover, baseball fan, Leafs devotee. He was a great singer who could hit the high notes in Roy Orbison's 'Crying' and the low ones in Jack Scott's "Young Love". In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent in Peter's name to the Canadian Cancer Society. Please join us for a joyful celebration of Smitty's life and music on Saturday, April 11 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the M c Kersie-Kocher Funeral Home, 114 Main St. Milton 905-878-4452. Letters of condolence may be left for the family at www.mckersie-kocher.ca