Rev. Ronald Smith
Born In: Inverness, Nova Scotia, Canada
Passed in: Kitchener, Ontario, Canada
Passed on: March 10th, 2012
Reverend Ronald D. Smith, 87, a priest of the Diocese of Antigonish, died in Kitchener, Ont., on March 10, 2012, at the home of his niece Debra and her husband, John Laronde.
Born in Inverness, he was the son of the late John Joseph and Margaret (MacDonald). He attended local schools in Inverness and graduated from Saint Francis Xavier University, Antigonish in 1947. He completed his theological studies in preparation for the priesthood at Holy Heart seminary, Halifax. Fr. Smith was ordained to the priesthood on May 19, 1951 in Saint Ninian Cathedral, Antigonish. He served as assistant priest in the parishes of St.-Pierre, Cheticamp, Saint John the Baptist, New Glasgow and Saint Joseph, North Sydney. During his long career of service as a parish priest, his appointments included, Saint Patrick, Lochaber, Star of the Sea, Canso, Holy Redeemer parish, Sydney for 16 years; rector of Saint Ninian Cathedral, Antigonish for nine years. Fr. Smith then received a year of sabbatical and spent it at Saint John the Evangelist parish, Manhattan, New York, where he provided pastoral service daily in a very large and thriving Parish. Father Smith returned to the Diocese of Antigonish to assume the pastorate of Sacred Heart parish in Sydney. Fr. Smith, in retirement, accepted to be administrator of Saint Peter parish, Port Hood and then Saint Patrick parish, Lochaber. Fr. Smith's pastoral zeal and service were unbounded. He was a most attentive, devoted parish priest and excelled in administration. Throughout his career, in addition to parochial responsibilities, Fr. Smith served also as military chaplain at CFB Sydney, dean of the Sydney Deanery of Priests, a member of the Council of Priests, Officials and Judge of the Matrimonial Tribunal for the Diocese of Antigonish and a member of many Diocesan commissions and committees. Fr. Smith coordinated the involvement of the Diocese of Antigonish on the Visit of Pope John Paul II to Halifax in September of 1984; he was presented to the Pope and awarded by him a Papal Medal in recognition of his work and participation in the organization of this event.
Fr. Smith is survived by one sister, Ann (John) Harris, Niagara Falls, Ont. and many nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by sisters, Isabel, Marcella, Sarah 'Sally', Carrie and Theresa; brothers, John Alex., John Joseph, Duncan Alexander, Peter and Donald Angus 'Gip'.
The body will rest in T.W. Curry Parkview Chapel, Sydney on Wednesday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. and the remains will be transferred to Holy Redeemer Church, Whitney Pier on Thursday afternoon with a Bible Vigil at 7 p.m. The funeral mass will be celebrated at Holy Redeemer Church, Sydney at 11 a.m. on Friday with burial following in Resurrection Cemetery.
Online condolences to www.twcurry.com.
