Joshua Jay Smith

1984 - 2021

Joshua Jay Smith

Fitchburg, WI - It is with heavy hearts that we announce that Joshua Jay Smith passed away at his home in Fitchburg (Madison), Wisconsin, on Tuesday, March 2, 2021.

Josh was born on July 10, 1984 and grew up in Wicklow, NB. He is the son of Malcolm and Janet Smith of Clearview. Josh is survived by his sister, Kristine Taylor (Aaron) of Calgary AB and their children Nathan and Kaylee, and his brother, Malcolm Smith Jr. (Kimberly) of Athabasca, Alberta and their daughter Ariana. Josh is also survived by his fiancée, Laura Taylor, and was stepdad to Jaden and Emma. He dearly loved his Madison, Wisconsin family.

From the time he was in elementary school, Josh wanted to become a veterinarian, and he never strayed from his goal. He graduated from Carleton North in 2002 as valedictorian, BSc (Hons) in Organometallic Chemistry, UPEI in 2007, and DVM, Atlantic Veterinary College in 2011.

Josh did an internship in Atlanta, Georgia in 2011-2012. He then completed his Small Animal Emergency and Critical Care internship and residency at Cornell University from 2012-2016.

Josh then moved to Madison, Wisconsin to become a Specialist in Veterinary Critical Care and Head of Emergency & Critical Care at VCA VESVSC. In Fall 2020, he joined the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Veterinary Medicine department as a Clinical Assistant Professor of Emergency and Critical Care.

Josh's passion was learning and teaching: "you can always be better." He took great pride in his new professor position at the UW and was simultaneously pursuing further certification for himself and making plans for research projects for coming years. He enjoyed being a resource for any colleague who needed advice, and always responded with encouragement and evidence-based guidance.

He also had a passion for training his beloved Labradors Ethel and Jed for pheasant and duck hunting. He enjoyed weightlifting and Jiu-jitsu classes and had most recently achieved his three-stripe blue belt. Family and friends were always happy to support Josh in his efforts to perfect his recipes for smoked ribs and brisket and share a beer or whiskey together.

Josh's calm demeanor, big heart, unboastful intelligence, furious curiosity, and dry-wit sense of humour were parts of what made him a now irreplaceable partner, father, doctor and friend. He touched so many lives throughout his career, which has ended all too soon. He was so generous and so proud.

Due to Covid-19 there will be no visitation or celebration of life at this time. A memorial will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to DunRoamin' Stray and Rescue: dunroaminstrayandrescue.com and Czar's Promise: czarspromise.com. His fiancé and stepchildren can be supported at gofundme.com/f/JoshSmithDVM

L.R. Giberson Funeral Directors are entrusted with the arrangements. www.gibersonfuneraldirectors.ca (506) 392-1115.