SMITH, Malcolm "Mac" Aubrey – 93, passed
away surrounded by his family January 3, 2023 in Maplestone Enhanced
Care, Halifax. Born in Chester, on October 23, 1929, he was the son of
the late Aubrey and Dorothy (Miller) Smith.
Mac
demonstrated a strong work ethic from a young age growing up in
Chester. He was the eldest son and took on many tasks at home, as well
as the family business - he fondly recalled the days of providing
freezer chest ice to Chester residents -cutting, storing, and
delivering the blocks to the local community. He displayed strong
academic ability and achievements in his formative years - excelling
particularly in mathematics. He had a soft spot and much love for his
dear mother, who passed away at a young age, when he spoke of her a
tear would come to his eye.
After high school, he moved to
Bridgewater and began his career in the building supply business. He
eventually became manager of Bridgewater Lumber (later
MacCulloch’s), finishing his working life at Nauss Brothers
Building Supplies. Mac was the "go to" person because of his
knowledge, integrity, friendly personality, and strong work ethic. Mac
was known for impressing customers with his mental math skills. He
often worked late into the night calculating construction material
quotes from plans, doing inventory checks, and scheduling the delivery
trucks for the next day.
Mac soon met his sweetheart,
Doris, in Bridgewater and they married in 1955. Their partnership
continued until her passing in 2013. They worked together to build the
"Smith Home" in Cookville and "Spruce Haven"
cottage in Broad Cove. The family was made complete with the addition
of their two girls, Joan and Susan. Mac was dedicated to his family
and took pride in "keeping everything all lined up". Theirs
was a comfortable home with the lawn and gardens beautifully
maintained, woodstove burning and Doris’s homemade food on
the table. Mac was a former member of the Bridgewater Curling club
where he was skip on various teams over the years. He was happiest
with a house (or cottage) full of family and friends. He loved playing
cards as well as dancing and singing to fiddle music late into the
night.
He became the best Grampie/Papa to his grandchildren
Jack, Michael, Sarah and Grace. He shared his enthusiasm for the
simple things in life by teaching them to build campfires, dig clams,
drive a tractor, shoot pellet guns, fix anything that was broken and
fine tune the games of croquet and softball at Broad Cove. While far
from a traveler – he did enjoy trips around the Maritimes,
New Hampshire and even to southern destinations on a few occasions.
He will be remembered for his smile, quick wit and unique
expressions. So, until we meet again, and as Mac would so often say
… "all the best"!
Besides his
parents, he was predeceased by his wife Doris (nee Hirtle), brothers
Bernie and Gary; sisters Sylvia and Ginny. He is survived by his
daughters Joan (Keith Pratt) and Susan (Mitch Wile), grandchildren
Jack and Sarah Wile and Michael and Grace Andrecyk, brothers Bill and
George, and sister Mable.
The family would like to give a
special thanks to his caregivers - Kim, Susan and Marion - who enabled
him to live in his home as long as possible, as well as the staff and
volunteers at Maplestone Enhanced Care, who became Mac’s
extended family over the last four years.
Visitation will be held at 12:30pm until time of service at
1:30pm in R.A. Corkum Funeral Home, 2719 Highway 325,
Wileville, on Tuesday, January 10, 2023, with a graveside
burial to follow at Brookside Cemetery, West Dublin. Masks are still
preferred in the funeral home for visitation and service. In
lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the South Shore Regional
Hospital or the Heart and Stroke Foundation.
https://www.heartandstroke.ca/
https://www.healthservicesfoundation.ca/
