Eric George Smith S/L (Ret’d), loving husband of 65 years to
Dinah Rosaleen (Cole), passed away peacefully March 30th, 2019 at
the Ottawa General Hospital in his 99th year. He was a loving father
to Erin Zintel (Smith) and a kind-hearted father-in-law to Bob Zintel.
Eric was a proud and loving Grandpa to Sarah and Kristen Zintel. Eric
will be remembered by his many nieces and nephews. Eric was a friend
to so many who remember his sense of humour, storytelling and how
he always had time to have a conversation. Predeceased by his parents
George and Mary Ann Smith; his brother Sidney (Thelma); sisters Inez
McFadden (William), Muriel Greenidge (Herbert), and Mavis Rothwell
(Norman).
Born January
26th, 1921 in the town of Navan, Ontario, Eric was educated at Navan
Continuation School, Vankleek Hill Collegiate and the Ottawa Normal
School (Teachers College). Eric taught school in Carlsbad SS#12 when
he was 19 years old. In 1940, Eric assisted the Police in apprehending
John Miki who murdered police officer Harold Dent in Navan. On July
1st, 1941 Eric enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force. He reported
to the Manning depot, Toronto on August 27th, 1941. He was then transferred
to Trenton, Belleville, Portage La Praire and Camp Borden where he
received his flying wings. Eric was commissioned on July 17th, 1942.
In April 1945, Eric received the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC).
His citation reads as follows: “This officer has completed a
large number of operational sorties. He is a pilot of exceptional
ability who has never let either adverse weather or enemy opposition
deter him from completing his allotted tasks. He has inflicted considerable
damage on enemy lines of communication, mechanical transportation
and rolling stock. He has at all times exhibited great determination,
initiative and daring and set an inspiring example by his fine fighting
spirit and devotion to duty”
In 1952, Eric
began instructing on Sabre F-86 jets and was invited to participate
in the Korean War as an exchange pilot with the U.S. Air force going
up against Russian MiG’s. In 1952, the U.S. government decorated
Eric with their U.S. Air Medal : “Squadron Leader Eric G. Smith
distinguished himself by meritorious achievement while participating
in aerial combat as a pilot of an F-86 aircraft, 4th Fighter interceptor
Wing, Fifth Air Force, flying missions against enemies of the United
States, from 10 September 1952 to 14December 1952. While flying combat
air patrol and various other type missions deep into enemy territory,
many times against a superior number of enemy aircraft, his dedication
to duty and demonstrated skill were a magnificent contribution to
the successful completion of the assigned mission. As a result of
his fortitude and courage on these occasions he has brought great
credit upon himself, the Royal Canadian Air Force and the United States
Air Force.”
Eric was the
Commander of Sqn. No 413 from January 12th, 1959 to February 2nd,
1961.
Over the course of Eric’s distinguished military career he was
honoured and awarded the following medals:
• Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)
• 1939-45 Star
• France and Germany Star
• Canadian Volunteer Service Medal and Clasp
• Volunteer Service 1939-45
• Korea Medal
• Canadian Volunteer Service Medal for Korea
• United Nations Korea Medal
• CD Canadian Forces Decoration
• United States Air Medal
• Korean War Veterans Association Medal
• Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal
• French Legion of Honour at the French embassy in Ottawa.
In March 1953,
while stationed in Chatham New Brunswick, Eric met Dinah Rosaleen
Cole. They were married in Toronto on May 16th, 1953.
Eric retired
from the RCAF in August 1968 and moved to a farm 7 miles south of
Kemptville where he and Dinah took up farming. Eric sold real estate
for Albert Gale Real Estate from 1971 until his retirement in 1991.
In May 2001, Eric and Dinah moved back to his home town of Navan.
Eric enjoyed
both playing and watching hockey. Eric played hockey for the winning
Navan team in the 1946 Bradley Cup in which he scored five goals.
Eric’s other favourite sport was curling which he played up
until 2015.
Eric was a
proud member of the RCAF, SPAADS, Branch 632 Canadian Legion, Orleans,
410(William Barker VC) Wing RCAFA, Knights of the Round Table, Masonic
Lodge Maitland Chapter, Tunis Shriners, Legion of Honour and the Navan
Curling Club.
The family
would like to thank the Ottawa General 5th floor nurses and doctors
and Eric’s family doctor – Dr. Bujold. The family would
also like to thank the care at home from SE Health/Access Care and
Champlain LHIN.
Family and
friends are invited to visit at the St. Laurent Chapel of Hulse, Playfair
& McGarry, 1200 Ogilvie Road (at Aviation Parkway), Ottawa, on
Friday, April 5, 2019 from 2-4 pm and 6-8 pm. A Funeral Service will
take place at St. Mary’s Anglican Church, 3480 Trim Road, Navan,
on Saturday, April 6, 2019 at 11 am.
As an expression
of sympathy, donations to St. Mary’s Anglican Church would be
greatly appreciated by the family.
