AMHERST / NEW GLASGOW – It is with heavy hearts that the family of Francis J. Smith, 56, announce his passing on December 23 in the Aberdeen Hospital.
Raised in Trenton, Francis was the son of the late Helen (nee MacDonald) and James F.H. Smith.
Francis was a loving and giving person and, while we are sorrowful that we did not have more years with him, family and friends count themselves lucky to have had him in their lives. He was very active making a difference in his community and working tirelessly as a Police Officer for 33 years in Amherst. Francis generously gave his time to numerous organizations and was serving as King Lion of the Amherst Lions Club. He received many commendations and in September of this year, Francis was presented with the Minister’s Award for Leadership in Crime Prevention in Nova Scotia.
Francis will be lovingly remembered and greatly missed by his wife, Barbara and her children Jillian and Michael. Proud father of Laura (Andrew) Purje, East Lawrencetown; son Vincent, Amherst; and loving brother to sisters: Marnie (Stan) Potter, Collingwood, Ontario; Patricia (Ray) Christensen, Abercrombie; Jamesina MacDonald, Edmonton, Alberta; brothers: Alex (Erna May), New Glasgow; Hugh (Heather), Westville; David (Barbara King), Dartmouth; Roddie (Susan), Saskatchewan; Gerry (Reg Dunphy), Conrad Beach and countless relatives and friends.
Francis was predeceased by his parents, brother Robert (Bobby), brother-in-law Bernie MacDonald, niece Karen and nephew Evan.
Cremation has taken place. Visitation will be held at Furlong-Jones Funeral Home, 70 Church Street, Amherst on January 6 from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. A Police funeral service will be held on January 7th at 10 a.m. in the Holy Family Parish Church, 63 Church Street, Amherst and the funeral services will also be broadcast live at Furlong-Jones Chapel. Internment will be in Christ The King Cemetery, Trenton at a later date.
Flowers graciously declined. In concert with Francis’s generous spirit, please donate in his memory to a charity that matters most to you.
Online condolences may be placed at www.furlongjones.ca