Larry Frank Smith

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Larry Frank Smith of Southampton and formerly of the Cranbrook area on June 7, 2024 at Wingham and District Hospital, at the age of 89.

 

He is survived by Marilyn Bowes Smith, his wife and travel partner. Together they enjoyed 21 years with their many friends in the Barbados, escaping Canadian winters for some warmth.

 

Larry was a 36-year employee of Campbell Soup, starting the day the location opened.

 

He will be remembered and missed by his children: Linda (Cal), Wendy (Wayne), Dave (Karen), Murray (Jenn), Paula (Steve), and two step-daughters: Jacquie (Steve) and Tracey. He was dearly loved by his 17 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
Larry was fortunate enough to have two women love him and was predeceased by wife Elaine in 1996 and son-in-law Bill Phillips in 1999.

 

Larry was well known for his sense of humour and love of euchre; his nickname was “Lone Hand Larry” as he seemed to “go alone” on next to nothing. That paid off when he and Marilyn won the Ontario Seniors Games for Euchre in 2012 - an achievement about which he enjoyed reminding family and friends. 

 

He was a man of simple pleasures; a good meal, a beer with his friends or family and a joke. That meal had to be mashed potatoes, lots of butter, roast beef and gravy and ideally apple pie with cheese and ice cream or a butter tart.

 

Larry was not a big traveler in early years, but Marilyn managed to get him to Europe, Australia, New Zealand and Ireland with family and friends in addition to winter visits to Barbados, which he loved. A favourite saying of his was: “A beer in my hand and my toes in the sand.”

 

A special thank you to the staff at Huronlea for their excellent care for the past year. Also, thank you to the staff in the emergency department and second floor at Wingham and District Hospital for their exceptional care for the last week of Larry’s life.

 

Donations to the Wingham and District Hospital Foundation to support family rooms for end-of-life care, which was such a help to our family during this challenging time, would be appreciated.

 

A celebration of Larry’s life will follow at a later date.

 

Online condolences at www.mcburneyfuneralhome.com