Victor Smith Victor Smith
In Memory of
Victor Placide
Smith
1932 - 2020
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Hulse, Playfair & McGarry
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Hulse, Playfair & McGarry
315 McLeod Street
Ottawa, Ontario
CANADA
K2P 1A2

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Obituary for Victor Placide Smith

Victor Placide  Smith
LtCol (ret’d) OMM CD RCASC and CAF

Victor, in his 88th year, was given the gift of life and now he had to give it up. It was hard, but he was grateful having lived his life well and with purpose. He passed away peacefully with his family by his side in Ottawa on March 4, 2020. He was a beloved husband and best friend of Madeleine for almost 64 years. He was a generous and loving father of Patricia (Rene), Susan (John), Alison (Roger), Monica (Pierre) and Michael (Janice). He was an inspirational Grandpa to his ‘poodle dogs’ - Jean-Francois, Patrick, Jonathan, Maria Christiane, Emily, Alexander, Madeleine, Erica, David, Kate, Mathieu, Emma, Willis, Benjamin, Zachary, Maya, Rachel and Eden and seven great-grandchildren. He was the dear son of the late Joseph and Aline Smith and devoted brother to the late Joan. He is survived by his niece Victoria and nephew Peter.

He had a proud, vibrant and exemplary military career with significant accolades and recognition, impressive by any standards. In 1988, the Nobel Peace Prize was given to the United Nations Peace-Keeping Forces for which Victor played a significant role. It is a cherished award. He also received the Order of Military Merit, the Special Service Medal NATO + OTAN bar, Canadian Peacekeeping Service Medal, United Nations Emergency Force Middle East UNEF II/UNEFME, International Commission for Supervision and Control Service Medal (ICSC Vietnam), Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal, the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal and the Canadian Forces Decoration with two service bars (CD).

His almost 50 year military career began as an army cadet at the age of 14, then as a soldier in the regular army. He was also part of the supplementary ready reserve. Some of his career highlights include deployment to Germany during the Cuban crisis, posted to 29 Movement Control Regiment in England as the operations officer, posted to Mobil Command HQ as senior transportation staff officer for the Montreal Olympics, posted to Egypt as commanding officer of the 73 Canadian Battalion. During his career he worked in 27 different countries and took 17 trips to Norway for NATO planning. He was seriously injured in the Sinai Desert which resulted in three hip replacements. Victor and Madeleine were active in the community and received the Ottawa City Council volunteer award for their significant contribution in the Community Volunteer Tax Program.

Victor will be remembered for his love, integrity, guidance and wisdom. It was always about family for Victor - he was so proud. He was an expert storyteller, ridiculously witty, with a sharp brilliant mind. He had a long life love affair with licorice and scotch. He was unforgettable - with that endearing twinkle in his blue eyes and that unsurpassed laugh. Friends are invited to visit at the Central Chapel of Hulse, Playfair & McGarry, 315 Mcleod Street (at O’Connor) on Thursday, March 12, 2020 from 2pm to 4pm and 6pm to 8pm. A funeral service will take place in the chapel on Friday March 13, 2020 at 11 am. Interment with Military Honours will follow the service at Beechwood Cemetery at 2pm. Victor was a generous man and supported numerous charities, so as an expression of sympathy, memorial contributions may be sent to any charity of your choice.