Obituary of Kenneth John Smith
Kenneth John Smith, 59 years old, passed away at home with his wife by his side after a three-year battle from Cancer. He was born in Dartmouth; the third of three sons to the late Ernest and Jacqueline Smith.
Ken did and saw a lot of things that could be deemed outside the norm. How many kids were able to fly out to Sable Island in the 1970’s to see the fabled Ponies or fly out to oil rigs for supper? Ken completed his Bachelor of Arts at Dalhousie University with a major in History and a double minor in Psychology and Sociology in 3.5 years so he could pursue his dream of becoming a member of the RCMP. While a back injury plague and ultimately ended his time at Depot in Regina, he did work in the Forensic Lab while recouping from surgery.
From being a 78th Highlander at the Halifax Citadel, to an Armored Guard, and being a Bus Operator at Halifax Transit for over 20 years, Ken always had story in his pocket that seemed slightly far-fetched until you talked to witnesses.
Ken loved so many facets of history: ancient and modern history, the Viking era, the mystery of Oak Island to name a few. His love of airports easily stemmed by following his father around as an aviation inspector. He played football and LaCrosse as a teen; loved playoff and Olympic hockey for the caliber of the game, and was a Dallas Cowboys fan from ‘back in the day’ when they were able to win championships. Ken was a Dale Earnhardt fan and loved NASCAR until they changed the points system. Riding motorcycles was a love he had - between cancer diagnosis he was able to ride one last loop on the Cabot Trail.
Ken is survived by his wife, Lisa; their two children, Shannon and Evan; and their dog, Kroeger; his brothers, Dale (Linda) of Dartmouth, and David of Edmonton, AB; along with other family members and friends.
The family would like to recognize all the staff at the Victoria General in 8A and 8B, Medical Day Unit, and Hematology with all our hearts. Special recognition to Chantel and Natalie in Medical Day; Rachel, Nurse Practitioner; and Ken's friends who are also Registered Nurses, Kim and Linda, who in his final days went well above and beyond to help advocate for him and make him comfortable where our health care system failed.
There will be a casual Remembrance Reception in the near future. Details will follow on Facebook. In lieu of flowers and sympathy cards, please donate blood. If you cannot donate blood, monetary donations to the QEII Patient Essentials Fund, or the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada. Arrangements have been entrusted to Serenity Funeral Home, 34 Coldbrook Village Park Dr., Coldbrook, NS, B4R 1B9 (902-679-2822).
