Obituary of Thurston Smith

SMITH, Thurston Leon August 9, 1928 – October 5, 2015 Peacefully at the Civic Hospital, Ottawa in the early hours of Monday, October 5th, 2015; Thurston Leon Smith of Ottawa passed away at the age of 87 years. Oldest child of the late Leon Smith and the late Roberta Morrison. Beloved husband and best friend of the late Mary Smith (formerly Gratton, nee Pilon) who predeceased him July 14, 2015. Dearly loved stepfather of Paul Gratton of Toronto, Louise Lalonde (Wilfred) of Greely and Daniel Gratton (Brenda Stufko) of Ottawa. Cherished and proud ‘grandpa’ to Dylan Lalonde. Predeceased by his brother Geoffrey Smith of Kelowna, B.C. and survived by his sister Sheila Shortly of Sarasota, Florida. Thurston grew up in Winona, Ontario “Treetops” and was the grandson of confections pioneer E.D. Smith. During his younger years, he travelled throughout Europe where he found his vocation. Upon returning to Canada, he joined the Madonna House Apostolate, a Catholic community for the next 25 years. He then moved to Ottawa where he met Mary, the love of his life, and they were married in 1978. They subsequently opened the Book Den, a rare and used book store on MacLaren Street, until it closed in 2014. Thurston will be remembered as a quiet loving man, for his support of many charities and his unwavering faith in God. Family and friends are invited to pay their respects at the St. Laurent Chapel of Hulse, Playfair and McGarry, 1200 Ogilvie Road, Ottawa on Wednesday, October 14th from 9 to 10:30 a.m. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated in Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, 400 St. Laurent Blvd., Ottawa on Wednesday morning at 11 o'clock. Interment Notre Dame Cemetery, Ottawa. In memory of Thurston, a donation to your favorite charity would be appreciated. Arrangements entrusted to the care of his nephew, André Pilon and the staff of the Pilon Family Funeral Home and Chapel Ltd., 50 John Street North, Arnprior.