Maurice Smith

SMITH Maurice Alan 17 September 1926 - 17 April 2009Maurice leaves Hilary, his loving wife of fifty-six years. He was the proud and much loved father of Alan (Linda), Sheila (Ken), Barbara (Gen) and David and grandfather to Maya, Laura, Kiera, Joel Zoe, Emma and Tova. He is also survived by a nephew Philip Smith (Lois), Shawnigan Lake, and a niece Jan (David), Waksfield, UK. Born and raised on Merseyside, England, Maurice lived through wartime bombing as a young teenager and served in the Royal Navy later in WWII. He taught for five years in England before immigrating to B.C. in 1955. Before retiring in 1985, he worked in Revelstoke and Richmond including twenty years as school principal. He had B.A., B.Ed. and M.Ed degrees from U.B.C. Maurice enjoyed sports as a young man. He played rugby and cricket, boxed and was competitive at the college level in swimming and throwing events in athletics. He liked to play tennis. He was still swimming up to a mile in his late seventies. He was a founding member of the Richmond, B.C. Rugby Club in 1957 and played for them for over twenty years. He was the club president for many years, was a coach for one season and played over forty rugby for Evergreen and Twilighters. Maurice was a world traveller to over sixty countries including Iceland, Japan, China, Cuba, South Africa and Argentina. He road on the Trans-Siberian Railway. He walked on the Great Wall of China and saw the sunrise and set at Ayers Rock in Australia. He enjoyed a variety of music. Maurice died peacefully at home after continuing to live a full life In spite of cancer for almost five years. The family would like to thank Dr. Kevin Murphy, Dr. Maureen Adamson and the nurses of the BC Cancer Agency, Surrey, and the Palliative Care nurses for their much appreciated care and attention. A Memorial Service and Reception will be held Monday, April 27, 2009 at 1:30 pm in the Chapel of Richmond Funeral Home, 8420 Cambie Road, Richmond. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the BC Cancer Foundation, 600 - 686 West Broadway, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1G1 or the Richmond Retired Teachers Association Scholarship Trust Fund Foundation, c/c General Currie School, 8220 General Currie Rd., Richmond, B.C. V6Y 1M1.