SMALE, John Charles 'Jack'

Dad was an accomplished businessman, having operated Smale Bros. Co. Ltd. successfully for many years. He had worked in the family business for most of his adult life except for a period of time in the service of his country and at Algoma Steel. Dad was a lifetime member of both the Royal Canadian Legion and the Loyal Order of Moose. He took over the family business when his Uncle Jack Smale retired. Dad had an ongoing love affair with horses, having been exposed to them at a very early age on his 'Egglesfield' grandparents farm on the Third Line, almost where the Davey Home sits today. When he went to live at the home he delighted in showing us how the farm was laid out, where the milk shed was, where the turnip patch was, etc. Part of the family business in the earlier years consisted of the delivery of coal by horse team. We all have many pictures of him with his favorite team 'Scott and Ben.' He raised his children instead of horses for quite a few years and then was able to once again acquire more of his beloved horse friends. He participated in both gaming and showing events at horse shows in Ontario and Michigan for many years and was active in local horse clubs. All of his older grandchildren were exposed to horses and the farm life either at his home on the Landslide Road or at his farm on St. Joe's Island. They spent many hours and earned a few dollars mucking stalls, haying, planting, etc.. on the Island. Besides his love for horses, he had a compassion for homeless and stray dogs and cats. We used to tease him about this, as we were convinced that there was a 'network' amongst the strays on St. Joe's Island that told them to go to the Smale Farm on the F & G Line and they would be taken care of.
He was a hard worker and expected no less of his offspring, a lesson that has served us well in our own lives. He loved all of us unconditionally, and we knew it. His children and his grandchildren will always have wonderful memories to carry us through our time without him.

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of 'Jack' John Charles Smale in his 89th year. Jack Smale, respected elder of our family and beloved older brother, father, grandfather, great grandfather and great great grandfather passed away on January 28th, 2009. He was predeceased by his first wife and the mother of his children Helen May Smale (Jackson) in 1997 and his second wife Mary Waples-Smale in 2005, by his parents former Mayor C. Herbert and Georgina (nee Egglesfield) Smale in 1975 and 1978 and his granddaughter Nancy Lynne (Delavalle) McClellan in 1998 and by infant grandchildren Kenneth David Smale and Lori Lynne Harron in 1966, his mother-in-law Lucy (nee Belleau) Jackson in 1990 and his brothers-in-law Edward Jackson (Verna) in 1996 and Thomas Jackson (Theresa) in 1997. Left with beautiful memories are his 3 siblings: June Leedham of Toronto, Joyce Huffman (Al) of Victoria, B.C., Herb (Lia) of Sault Ste. Marie and his 6 children: Caroline Gemme (Maurice) of London, Ontario, Valerie Harron of Wild Rose, Wisconsin, Herbert (Sheila) of Echo Bay, Kenneth (Marion), John (Lucille) and Cheryl Lynne Delavalle all of Sault Ste. Marie. Loving and devoted Gramp to his 15 grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren and 2 great great grandchildren including: John Walls (Susette) and their children Rickilee and Alannah Walls, Kevin and Bradley Weiler; Alan Walls (Wendy), Jamie Walls (Karrie) and their children Cierra, Madison and Tye; Lesli-Ann Walls; Bob Smale (Amy) and their son Matt all of Barrie, Ontario; Cheryl Kurth (Tony) and their children DJ Zabolski (Renee) and their sons Jaydon and newborn Baby Z; Kurt Zabolski (Amy); Courtney and Kayla Kurth; Bill Harron and his son Will all of Wisconsin; Adam Smale of Kalamazoo, Michigan; Nancy Gemme and her partner Patrick of London, Nicole 'Nikki' Hallock (Steve) and their son Austin of Tillsonburg; Shari Smale and her children Mitchell, Samantha and Brendan; Wade Smale (Maxine) and their daughter Carrie-Lynne; Eric Gemme and his partner Susie and their daughter Mya; Jamie Eaton (Sherri) and their children Jesse and Jennifer; Tammy Pierman (Brad) all of Sault Ste. Marie, as well as numerous neices, nephews and cousins. Friends may call at the Northwood Funeral Home (942 Great Northern Road 945-7758) on Sunday evening from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. Funeral and committal service in the Chapel on Monday, February 2, 2009 at 1:00 p.m. Memorial donations made to the Parkinson Disease Foundation or charity of your choice would be appreciated by the family.