Richard Marcus Smith

Survived by his mother, Patricia Smith of Deep River; his brothers, Michael (Donna Dawson) of Aurora, Ont., and David (Ruby Fuentes) of Deep River; his nephew, Simon Dawson-Smith; his aunt, Sharon Smith; and his cousin, Wendy Smith (Mike Williton, and their daughters, Chelsea and Taylor). Rich was predeceased by his father, Norman Smith of Deep River, in 2018.

Rich passed away at home, with his family caring for him, after dealing with chondrosarcoma since early 2024.

Born in Deep River, Rich attended Loyalist College in Belleville, Ont., earning a diploma in civil engineering technology. His career with Ontario Hydro/OPG (hydroelectric) took him to Cornwall, Haileybury and Hanover, and finally to the Des Joachims Generating Station, enabling him to return to Deep River.

Once he was no longer working, Rich fished the Ottawa River pretty much full time each summer, alone or with friends and family. A good day was one spent on the water. He also took an interest in photography, model-building and military history. He enjoyed home renovation and improvement – to his own house and those of family members – and anything Rich built was built to last. He appreciated a nice car, too, and was pretty disappointed that his illness meant he didn’t get out in his new Mustang as much as he wanted to.

Rich and his family thank the homecare PSWs and nurses, and the nurses at the Deep River and District Hospital and The Ottawa Hospital (General campus). Rich’s family would appreciate contributions in his memory to the Deep River and District Hospital, the Ontario SPCA or the Canadian Cancer Society.

A celebration of Rich’s life will be held at the Deep River Golf Club on Saturday, September 13 from 2 until 5 pm. 

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