By Barbara Rayner, The Courier
St. George’s longest serving mayor, Stan Smith, who held the position for 16 years, died Friday at Passamaquoddy Lodge at the age of 79.
Eastern Charlotte Mayor John Craig, who served as mayor of Saint Andrews for 11 years while Smith was mayor of St. George, said his passing will be felt by all who had the privilege of meeting him and St. George was fortunate to have him as its longest serving mayor.
The two mayors collaborated on Enterprise Charlotte, a precursor to the regional service commission, for six of those years. Craig said Smith consistently demonstrated his affable nature through his warm smile and engaging anecdotes from his past and his infectious laughter was particularly endearing.
They also met at many social events including the Aquaculture Fair at the Algonquin in Saint Andrews and he recalled one year when he, the late Gifford Cooke and Smith were asked to dance on stage as part of a contest with the winner to be determined by applause.
“While Stan and I were at a disadvantage due to the significant number of attendee employed by Gifford, Stan’s laughter during and after the event are a lasting memory for me.
“Stan consistently demonstrated the qualities of a true gentleman and an exemplary representative for the town of St. George, never once losing his composure, making him a perfect statesman”.
Smith, who was a familiar face around town and beyond to so many,wore many hats besides that of the town’s mayor.
He had worked for the Department of Transportation as an asphalt inspector, was a sergeant with the St. George Police Department, owned and operated Stan’s Main Street Convenience Store and worked with Jamer Materials and Dexter Construction as a quality control lab technician in both New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.
He had a passion for his community and its people. Besides his council activities he was also a member of St. George Rotary Club and the Pennfield Lions Club. Smith also loved animals. From dogs and ducks to rabbits, turtles and even a raccoon – they all found a home with him.
He was also a voracious reader as well as a keen collector of sports cards, coins and pins. After retirement, he was a daily visitor to the local Tim Horton’s where he met with friends to discuss the world’s problems.
Smith is survived by his wife of 60 years, Sybil and three daughters Deborah Smith of St. George, Gail Smith of Utopia and Lisa Cheney of Pennfield as well as eight grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren and one great, great grandchild.
Visitation for Smith will be held at St. Mark’s Anglican Church Monday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The funeral service will be held at the church Tuesday at 2 p.m. Remembrances can be made to the St. George Animal Shelter, the Alzheimer’s Society or the Lung Association.
