Obituary of James Patrick Smyth

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of James “Jim” Patrick Smyth on
March 25th, 2025. Born January 8th, 1932, in Essex, Ontario, Jim was promoted to glory
surrounded by love in his home where he chose to take his last breath.  

The son of Joseph and Marjorie Rose (Taylor) Smyth, he is survived by his wife, partner
and love of his life Louise, daughters Jill Dumart (Peter) and Lynn Barnier (Dan), and sons Kim
Smyth (Mary), Scott Saunders (Kathy), Bradley Saunders (Stephanie), and Jeffery Saunders. 
Predeceased by his big brother Joe (Patricia), Jim leaves behind beloved siblings; sister
Elizabeth (Beth) White (Late Roger), and brothers Dan (Diane) and John (Carol), grandchildren
Ashley, Matthew, Erin, Jaclyn, Avery, and Emma, great-grandsons Aleks, Cullen, godson Brian
White, and the light of his life, grandson Carson. He is also survived by many nieces and
nephews. 

Jim always had a kind heart, and a grand smile, and a joke to share, and claimed he had
lived a blessed life. He’d say he was born to “the best parents”, had enjoyed a wonderful and
adventurous childhood, and lived a life full of family and many people he was privileged to have
called “the greatest of friends”.  Jim truly felt in his heart that the good Lord blessed him by
allowing him to see and live in the beautiful world he had created. Certain that his greatest
blessing was yet to come, he loved the saying “Don’t lose yourself in the temporary, no one has
ever seen, no one has ever heard, and no one has ever imagined what God has prepared “, an
adaptation of Corinthians 2:9.

A fixture on King Street for over 45 years, Jim owned and operated Keats Jewelers Ltd.,
He was a qualified horologist, after serving his apprenticeship under his grandfather J. F. Taylor
of West Dearborn Michigan, and R. J. Halmo of Simcoe. Jim was proud to serve as the official
watch inspector for the CNR, CP, and C&O railways. Jim loved his staff and the many friends he
had made through his business.

Active in his community, Jim coached squirt league baseball, was a past president of the
St. Mary’s School PTA, and was a former Director of the Chatham Jaycees and once chaired one
of the most successful Jaycee fairs, bringing Johnny Cash, June Carter, Tex Ritter, The Statler
Brothers and Leroy Tubbs to entertain his beloved city. A member of Maple City Country Club
for over 50 years, he was a past chairman of his beloved Maple City Seniors Golf, was a director
and life member of Chatham Granite Club, and was also honored to have chaired a very special
“This Is Your Life” for the late Honorable George Parry, MPP. 

Jim loved life, lived it each day, and encouraged others to do the same. He loved golf
and curling, and enjoyed softball, water and downhill skiing, and was a kite flyer and private
pilot, having once owned his own plane.

Jim’s family would like to give a very special and heart-felt thanks to his two “angels on
earth”, Dr. Foster and Nurse Julie, for giving so much of themselves to give us the gift of another
year added to his wonderful life. 

As per Jim’s wishes, cremation has taken place and a memorial mass will be held at
Blessed Sacrament Church on Monday April 7th, with visitation starting at 10:00 AM followed by
mass at 11:00. A private interment will take place at a later date.

With respect to the observance of Lent, the family would like to ask that flowers not be
sent to the church and suggest a donation to the Verspeeten Family Cancer Center at Victoria
Hospital be made instead.