John Stewart Henry Smith

John Stewart Henry Smith peacefully went to be with his Lord on December 2nd, 2022 at the Kingsway Care Centre in Quispamsis. He was born in Saint John, N.B. on January 28th, 1932. John was the son of the late J. Stewart and Alva (Bissett) Smith. He came from a godly home and attended Emmaus Bible School in Toronto. God used him in High Schools and College Campus Ministries throughout Southern Ontario. Under his leadership the Ryerson Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship was started. John graduated from Toronto Normal School and taught in Toronto for a number of years. He took a hiatus in 1957 to teach English for the Canadian Government, in Holland, to emigrating Hungarians after the revolution. Shortly after returning to Saint John, N.B. in 1964, he met the love of his life, Ruth McKnight. For 32 years, he was in the music business with Yamaha Family Music Centre stores in Saint John, Moncton, and Fredericton, N.B. and did piano tuning on the side. On retirement, he worked as a Pastor for a short time at Calvary Temple in Saint John, as Associate Pastor in 1996 at SonLife Community Church in Dartmouth, and as an interim Pastor at Calvary Temple in Glasgow, N.S.

John loved the Lord with all his heart and was a devoted Christian who daily lived his life to bring glory to God. He was actively engaged in the local churches where he lived and shared his love for Christ with others. John loved to study the Word of God and share what he learned. He led Bible Studies, counseled, mentored young pastors, served on several Boards and preached in many churches. John was a gentle, compassionate, loving man who lived his life with integrity. He always saw the positive in others and desired to bless those around him.

John is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Ruth Allison (McKnight); daughters, Lynn (Daryl) Burdick of Rothesay, N.B. and Susanne (Carl) Ozkaynak of Quispamsis, N.B.; sons, Peter (Shelley) Smith of Quispamsis, N.B.; Jonathan (Shelly) Smith of Toronto, ON; Malcolm (Cheryl) Smith of Oakville, ON; and Philip (Christina) Smith of Owen Sound, ON; sisters, Joan (the late Mark) Levengood of South Africa and Mary (the late James) Twinem of Eden, ON; sixteen grandchildren, Brittany, Calum, Brandon, Keenan, Connor, Isaiah, Noah, Zachary, Hannah, Matthew, Gavin, Skylar, Rebecca, Abigail, Hope, and Kingslee; several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, John was predeceased by his brother David Smith, brothers-in-law Murray McKnight, Mark Levingood, James Twinem, sister-in-law Janet Mcknight, niece Linda Levengood, nephew Weldon McKnight, as well as his father-in-law, Fred McKnight and mother-in-law Della (Gamblin) McKnight.

The family would like to extend heartfelt thanks to the staff at Kingsway Care Centre for their care and assistance over the last two years.

Arrangements are under the care and direction of Fundy Funeral Home, 230 Westmorland Road, Saint John, N.B. (506-646-2424). Visitation will be on Friday, December 9th, 2022, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. A Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, December 10th, 2022, beginning at 10:00 a.m. at Fundy Funeral Home with Reverend Jonathan Smith and Reverend Philip Smith officiating. Interment will follow at Fairhaven Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of John may be made to ShareWord Global, ERDO (Emergency Relief & Development Overseas), and Kingsway Care Centre.