Obituary of Gregory Smith

SMITH, Gregory - 65, Port Hawkesbury/SouthWest Margaree, passed away Sunday, December 21, 2003, in Inverness Consolidated Memorial Hospital. Born in Inverness on August 2, 1938, he was a son of Mary Jessie (Smith) Little and the late Malcolm Beaton. He was raised at the home of his granduncle, Archie and grandaunt, Flora MacDougall, South West Margaree. Blessed with a kind and caring disposition, he was a faithful member of St. Joseph's Parish, Port Hawkesbury. Upon completion of high school, Greg attended Nova Scotia Teachers College, Truro, and taught school for two years before going to work for Insulite Builders in Port Hawkesbury. In 1962, he joined Stora Forest Industries and remained there until his retirement in 1994 as assistant superintendant of newsprint. Greg was an enthusiastic supporter of Cape Breton Gaelic culture. He was brought up in a Gaelic speaking household and his command of the language made him much in demand as a Gaelic storyteller. He loved the Gaelic language and songs and visited the Scottish Highlands on several occasions. An accomplised Cape Breton fiddler he participated in the Glendale Fiddle Festivals in the 1970s. He was a valued member of the Cape Breton Fiddlers Association that participated in the Montreal Cultural Olympics in 1976 and played the bass drum with the Judique Kildonan Pipe Band. Greg enjoyed many friends and aquaintances with whom he shared and included a wide variety of unique and personal experiences. He is survived by his wife, Sally (Stewart) Smith; sons, Kenneth, Petawawa, Ont.; Scott, Halifax; sisters, Carol, Shirley, Lorraine and Barbara; brothers, Ronald, Robert and William, all of Ontario; many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by uncle, Fred Smith; brother, James; stepfather Norman Little. Visitation will be held 2-4, 7-9 p.m. today in Dennis Haverstock Funeral Home, Port Hawkesbury. Funeral mass will be held 2 p.m. Wednesday, December 24, in St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church, Father Bill Crispo officiating. Burial in the parish cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to Central Inverness County Palliative Care Society or a charity of your choice. On-line condolences to www.haverstocks.com