Obituary of Gerald Wesley Smith

Gerald Wesley Smith passed away on September 4, 2022, at the age of 75, after a long fight with colitis. He was born in Windsor, Ontario on August 17, 1947, to the late Vivien (Chickee - Nolan) and the late Pastor Edsel Smith, and lived on Hill Street in Sandwich Towne. They later moved to Harrow when he was six years old. Gerald was a musician, having played the trumpet for the community Harrow Marching Band. The band caught the attention of The Harrow Kinsmen, who became their sponsor. Later, their rudiments and style also caught the attention of the Harrow IGA Grocery store, who not only sponsored them but made the band their mascots, sending them to store openings internationally. After several years, the band became the Rhythm Makers. Gerald also enjoyed photography and would often be found in the Dark Room with his brother Sylvester developing photos in Black and White. He attended Harrow Public school, and graduated from Essex High school, where he liked history and learned to which got him an apprenticeship in Product Design and Development with International Tool and Die. Gerald started his career as a Mechanical Drafter, and went on to work for Glen Dennis with his brother Douglas. Later, he worked for Build-A-Mold while he studied to become one of the first CAD designers in the area doing design and fabrication. He set up a home office, started his own business Design and Detail, and worked as a Mold Design Engineer for the last 28 years, and was looking to add 3D printing. As a designer, he admired Germany’s style of engineering. Gerald got married to Doris Brenda Handsor on November 14, 1970, and they had two children, Anthony and Calla. Like the rest of the Smith’s, Gerald was very competitive, in everything. Especially when it came to Douglas, his top competitor. He could not be outdone – one would never let the other live it down. Gerald enjoyed travelling, as much as his health would allow him to do so. And he liked telling stories if you’d listen. Gerald is survived by his children, Anthony and Calla, four grandchildren, Kaleb, Tyrus, Aaron, and Xavier; three great-grandchildren, Denzel, Khai, and Lovel. Loving brother of Leon (Dianne) Smith, (late) Sylvester Smith, (late) Virgil (late Grace) Smith, (late) Douglas (Brenda) Smith, Dennis (Lynda) Smith, Lorna (late Phillip) Huff, Paul (Lynn) Smith, Timothy Smith, Lydia (Gary) Sims, Pam (Anthony) Handsor, and Aaron Smith. Also remembered by Aunts, Uncles, numerous nieces, nephews, a host of cousins and friends. A private service to celebrate Gerald's Life will be held for the family at a later date. Arrangements entrusted to Families First Funeral Home, Windsor ON. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: We wish to express with much appreciation, the kindness shown for all the many prayers and concerns in this time of sorrow over the loss of our most loved one. ~ The Family “To live in hearts we leave behind, is not to die.” - Thomas Campbell “The two hardest things to say in life is hello for the first time and goodbye for the last.” - Moira Rogers