Obituary of Neil Edward Smith

It is with shattered hearts that we are announcing the sudden passing of Neil Edward Smith on June 26th, 2020. He was 77 years young.

Neil is survived by his beloved daughters Julie Mae (Patrick) Holland of Fall River; MaryLou Smith of Dartmouth; and Stephanie Smith of Dartmouth. He will be forever missed by his honey, Marlene Robar of Berwick, always an angel and saint in the eyes of our family. Proud Grandaddy to Luke and Mae Holland. Brother to Larry (Maria) Smith of Terrence Bay; Robert “Bob” (Ruth) Smith of Toronto, ON; Susan Smith of Eastern Passage; and Brenda Smith of Toronto, ON. Uncle to Wade Smith of Halifax. Neil is also survived by Marlene’s family: Norah and Kevin Jensen, their children Mitchell and Amelia, and Emmah Pietersma (Ben Murphy) and her children Willow and Molly. Thank you to the extended Robar family who were all amazing constant figures in his life who kept him laughing and well-fed.

He was predeceased by our wonderful mother Louise (Arsenault) Smith; father Donald Bohaker Smith; mother Sarah Mae (Hall) Smith; brother Alan Smith.

Born in Digby, Nova Scotia, Neil left for the big city of Toronto when he was 18. He moved back to Nova Scotia in 1980 with his new wife, Louise, to start their dreams of raising kids and country home-steading. After losing his cherished Louise to cancer in 1994 and left with three young daughters to raise on his own, Neil took on the role of single father bravely and we can confidently say that he did an exceptional job and his strength will live on through us. We know that Mommy will smile when she sees him again. Neil’s accomplishments were many but the ones he would brag about the most were his daughters, and the old farmstead on which he was able to focus and enjoy fully after his retirement as an accountant at Avon Foods. Neil was the keeper of his earth and gardens, which were always bustling with life, including: vegetables, fruit trees, wildflowers, pollinators, happy chickens, birds and wildlife. He loved nothing more than sharing his harvest with friends, family and neighbours, and anyone else who stopped by for eggs or a chat. He also enjoyed talking politics, music and playing guitar, getting fresh air and exercise, doing crossword puzzles, making wine and beer, and carpentry.

Anyone close to Neil likely has something in their house built or brewed by him.

Neil loved to spend his days with his doting long-time sweetie, and his daughters coming and going. Wherever you found Neil, his loyal kitties (Tucks, Milo and Matilda) were not far behind. Life with his honey Marlene was sweet and easy, as they would garden together on warm days, make homemade jam and bread, and spend Saturday nights going out for a dinner date. Lukey and Mae-Mae will always ask to go to Grandaddy’s house to play, explore, and get dirty; they never left without an abundance of big hugs and kisses. We will always remember the lessons that our Daddykins taught us along the way. He was a role model for strength, generosity, perseverance, independence, and life-long learning.

The funeral service will be held on the farmstead. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the service date is withheld. The burial will be attended only by Neil’s immediate family. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hope for Wildlife or the Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia.