Gary James Smith
August-08-1944 - May-12-2026
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Melissa uploaded photo(s)
Friday, June 5, 2026
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Gary was a lover of life, and that included Canada’s beloved sport, hockey. We will always cherish the memories of him attending his great nephew’s hockey games or meeting at the arena in Ottawa to watch the Senators play. As a season ticket holder, you could often find him there, or at the very least, talking about the “Leafs/Senators rivalry” with family and friends.
Above all, what I will recall most profoundly was his deep and never ending love for his wife Laurielle. May he rest in eternal love and peace in the arms of the Lord xx
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Melissa uploaded photo(s)
Friday, June 5, 2026
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Ron Desroches posted a condolence
Wednesday, June 3, 2026
My condolences to the family. Gary and Carol use to come and visit my parents Lionel and Delima Desroches ones in a while in lafontaine which my dad is Gary's uncle. They would talk for hours and sometimes go out and eat at a restaurant . All the best to the family. So sorry for your lost.
Ron
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Carol and Greg Morris posted a condolence
Wednesday, June 3, 2026
We first met Gary and Laurielle twenty years ago in Arden. What an amazing couple and such an asset to our community. To sum Gary up in three words, we would have to say "A TRUE GENTLEMAN". We shared a love of theatre and often bumped into Gary at shows in Gan. or Perth. He always had that infectious smile and time for a visit. Sincere condolences to Gary's family and friends.
Carol and Greg Morris
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Keith Feasey posted a condolence
Sunday, May 31, 2026
0ver the course of a lifetime l've
met and developed friendships with many none more cherished and meaningful than that which developed with Gary..l'm so fortunate to have known his altruism, humanness and loyalty.He and Laurielle enriched my life and that of my late wife Kay by their very presence.God give you peace and rest my friend
You deserve it in your next assignment. My heartfelt sympathy to the family
Keith Feasey
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Don Grainger posted a condolence
Wednesday, May 27, 2026
Both Diane and I knew Gary very well having served with him abroad, Diane in Brussels and me in Tel Aviv. He was a close friend and a fine colleague. Our deepest condolences to the family.
Don & Diane Grainger
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SL Stevens posted a condolence
Tuesday, May 26, 2026
I had the honour of meeting Gary through Probus Perth a few years ago when we were both speakers, served on a panel together just after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and then compared notes as we spoke separately at many other Probus clubs. Gary had the best stories and told them with aplomb. And he told them with humour and humility. And he arranged to have the première in Perth - how wonderful for our town. He had a distinguished career and we appreciated his insights into current events. My condolences to his family and friends. I’ll miss him.
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Susan Freeman posted a condolence
Tuesday, May 26, 2026
It was with shock and such sadness that I read of Gary's sudden passing and my heartfelt condolences go out to Gary's family and Val. I met Gary over 20 years ago when we both worked in neighbouring municipalities and more recently with Probus. He brought such energy, insight and humour to our meetings. He is much missed. My sympathy to you all.
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Anna Marie Kalcevich posted a condolence
Saturday, May 23, 2026
Gary spoke at our Probus Club a few years ago, regaling the group with his observations of the Canada Russia '72 hockey series. Afterwards I told him that he was the best and funniest speaker I had ever heard. His reply: Really?
Wonderful person. Condolences.
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Noreen Breen posted a condolence
Friday, May 22, 2026
To the family, friends & colleagues of Gary
Gary was a worldly guy to say the least & it was so lovely to have been gifted the extreme pleasure & honour of getting to know him.
My husband & Gary's shared love of hockey resulted in many long visits at our business with back and forth stories of hockey experiences & Pat always said that Gary had some doozies. My husband treasures his autographed copy of The Ice War Diplomat: HockeyMeets Cold War Politics at the 1972 Summit Series.
Please know how saddened we are by this wonderful, down to earth gentleman's passing & know that he will be missed.
Noreen and Patrick Breen
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Anna Comfort O’Keeffe posted a condolence
Thursday, May 21, 2026
It was a complete pleasure to get to know Gary through the publication of Ice War Diplomat. He brought the same qualities to his work as an author that he must have brought to his diplomatic career: genuine enthusiasm, careful research, gracious persistence. My deep condolences to his family and friends.
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John Noble posted a condolence
Thursday, May 21, 2026
My most sincere condolences to Gary's extended family and companion Val. I was shocked and saddened by Gary's sudden death. Gary was a former colleague and friend in External Affairs and was actively involved in PM Trudeau's Peace Initiative as Director of the Arms Control Division. At the time I was the Official Spokesman for the Department and the Minister (Alan MacEachen). I remember being in Stockholm, Sweden for a CSCE Ministerial Conference on Confidence Building Measures and being woken up in the middle of the night by Gary who informed me that CBC TV news had just announced that PM Trudeau would be visiting East Germany and Czechoslovakia shortly to promote his Peace Initiative.. Gary asked that Minister MacEachen arrange the visits with the East German and Czech Foreign Ministers who he was meeting the next day. MacEachen was furious about this last minute ask, but did his duty. The Czech Foreign Minister made his task somewhat easier by asking when the Czechs could have the pleasure of a visit to Prague by PM Trudeau. MacEachen shot back, "how about next Wednesday at 10 am?". A lot of the Trudeau Peace Initative was done on the fly and Gary had his hand in a lot of it. Gary and I were also at the meeting of the then European (now World) Economic Forum in 1984 with PM Trudeau and Alan MacEachen. There was a large accompanying press entourage and Gary loved to embellish how everything was going according to plan! The very comprehensive obituary overlookd the important role Gary played in the Retired Heads of Missiion (RHOMA), now the Canadian Ambassadors Alumni Association (AmbCan), promoting the development of a coat of arms, being the driving force behind the naming of Ambassadors of Distinction to honour deserving Canadian diplomats past and present, promoteing a special AmbCan section of Beechwood Cemetery, and serving on the Executive Committee and paticipating in monthly lucheons.. He also was an active member of CHIMO, a group of retired military, diplomats ,other former public servants and business men and women who meet monthly to discuss Canadian and international topics. Gary's contributions to these discussions were poignant and appreciated by all. He was also active in the Canadian Foreign Service Alumni Forum open mainly to retired (or soon-to-be retired) Canadian foreign service personnel from all foreign service departments, all occupational groups and all streams. Gary served Canada with distinction througout his diplomatic career. I will miss his smiling face and witty comments. John Noble
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Ritah posted a condolence
Thursday, May 21, 2026
It was a privilege to have known Gary. He was truly one of the kindest and most welcoming individual I have ever met — always ready with a conversation, a smile, and a genuine interest in everyone around him, no matter their age or background.
I will always remember his generosity and thoughtfulness, especially the many ways he showed kindness to those close to him and to everyone around him. His warmth and presence touched so many lives.
Sending heartfelt condolences and strength to Val during this difficult time. Gary will be deeply missed and fondly remembered.
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Anh Vu-Lieberman uploaded photo(s)
Thursday, May 21, 2026
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My name is Anh Vu-Lieberman or otherwise known as the baby born at sea in the documentary "Shining Light." I was so fortunate to have been able to spend some time with Gary at the different screenings across Canada, but also more recently in Vancouver where we got spoiled by Margaret Tebbutt in Vancouver. She left us wonderful Canadian snacks in our hotel room and drove us around town to discover the beauty of Vancouver and for her hand in the wonderful screening and event.
Gary was an incredible speaker. I so wished that we had recorded his talk in the Vancouver screening. Without any notes, he spoke so eloquently about the history of Canadian and Asian immigration - powerful words that resonated with everyone in the audience. I regretted not having the energy that he did to have dinner after the screening with his friends. These events were emotional for me and they take a bit out of me physically - I had to go back to the hotel to rest. He shared the dinner pics with me of the incredible view that he enjoyed at dinner with friends the next morning as we made our way to the airport. They were so spectacular. I hope to recreate or enjoy them the next time that I'm in Vancouver and have a toast to him.
Before the day of the event, I was able to enjoy a day of art and food on our off time with Gary. We first went to enjoy the cherry blossoms after taking the train (thank you to Margaret for the suggestion!) and we walked our way to a gallery exhibit of his friend named Ken Pattern on March 7th. I swore that Gary knows everybody or rather, everyone knew Gary!
Afterwards, we headed to the museum to enjoy some more art. He joked that I saved a woman's life in the bathroom at the museum. A patron got locked into one of the stalls and I went to call for help. It was close to closing hour so she would have been there overnight.
After a day of art and great conversation, we enjoyed a lovely Italian dinner close to the hotel. I liked how punctual he was. For my husband and I, if you are on time, you are late. Gary was always early - even earlier than me! He had a protective side that made sure that I was treated well at dinner. He talked about his daughter and about his late wife. I shared my life about my husband who was young but had early onset Alzheimer's. We enjoyed a wonderful dinner with fresh pasta (me) and fresh fish (Gary) plus mango sorbet for dessert although I think we could have shared one as it was so generous.
Gary was eloquent and he was also so funny. I got to hear endearing stories of his family and silly stories of swapping hats with Peter Raymont from White Pine Pictures as he Photoshopped the pics. I have to say that the swapped hats do match the outfits better. We are all so devastated by the sudden passing. He was a great force in getting Shining Light directed by Robbie Hart at Adobe Productions along with White Pine Pictures. He travelled when he could to support and to attend the screenings - like the one at the Stratford event. He was so happy and that is how I would like to remember him as much as my heart is heavy with his passing for him and his family. I'm having a hard time processing this and this is nothing compared to what his family is going through, Gary, you are very much - very missed - a beautiful light, I'm determined to make the documentary available or seen - let's keep the light on.
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Mary Kilgour and Andre Arcand posted a condolence
Wednesday, May 20, 2026
First; Congratulations to whomever wrote Gary's obituary,
Our sincere sympathy to all of Gary's family and friends, especially Val. Many of us in Perth knew Gary because of Probus Club. I am not sure how I first met Gary, Gary loved to tease me. Sometimes Gary, Val, Andre and I were seated at the same table. We learned more about this interesting and talented man. Of course there was more teasing!
But I will always remember and cherish our last meeting and lunch on May 6, 2026. As we were leaving and we passed by Gary I complimented Gary on the amazing, colorful introduction he did for his friend, Gary asked, did you like the words at the end and we laughed, (I wish I could remember the special words} We had shook hands and payed no attention as we listened to Gaston and Andre talking in French, I whispered to Gary Do you think we should stop holding hands? We laughed as I said, Maybe someone will take a picture and put it in the Probian,
What a pleasure it was to know Gary May you cherish all of your special memories as we celebrate Gary
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The family of Gary James Smith uploaded a photo
Wednesday, May 20, 2026
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Please wait
Saturday
6
June
Celebration of Gary's life
11:00 am
Saturday, June 6, 2026
St. Paul's United Church
25 Gore Street West
Perth, Ontario, Canada
Guests are welcome to wear colour.
