A Celebration Of Life – James Smith
It is with deep sorrow and sadness that we announce the passing of James Hislop Smith at his home at the age of 92 on August 11, 2024.
He was predeceased by his parents and his wife of 64 years, Irene Jeffrey Willamson.
Jim will be missed by his sister-in-law, Mary Ganson (Ian, deceased), his children, Jeffrey Smith (Louise), Kirstie Steip (Al) and Elizabeth Wyatt (Joe), his grandchildren, Gillian Lorentz (Taylor), Ethan Steip (Taylor), Glenn Steip (Lindsay) and Michael Steip as well as his niece Irene Light (Steve) and nephews David Ganson and Ian Ganson as well as many friends and extended family.
Jim was born the only child to William Smith and Elizabeth Hislop in Clydebank, Scotland on April 19, 1932. After surviving the Clydebank Blitz in 1941 during WWII, Jim and his family were relocated to Johnstone and then returned to Clydebank. As a boy and in his youth, he enjoyed singing on stage and the company of his cousins and friends on the football pitch. After completing school, he went on to train as an auditor in Glasgow.
At 22, Jim decided to emigrate to Canada, and so it was with the dream of a more prosperous life and his sense of adventure that he booked passage on the Queen Mary and made his way to New York. This was his first cruise with many more to come.
Toronto is where Jim eventually settled in 1954. He was alone in “Toronto the Good” and soon landed work as an auditor for an accounting firm. Business was Jim’s career passion. From auditing he went on to work for Canada Bread, became the Secretary Treasurer for Monarch Fine Foods, and eventually landed at Royal Industries, Certified Brakes as the Accountant. It was here that he met Bill Bartels and the beginning of a decades long relationship took root eventually leading to Jim’s proudest business achievement… but more on that later.
Irene was the love of Jim’s life. She joined him in Canada in 1957 and in anticipation of her arrival, Jim wrote a song for her called, “Soon”. Her passing in 2021 was very difficult for him. His memories of their 64 years together kept him going. Together they raised a family, moved from Toronto to Burlington to Etobicoke and eventually designed and built two homes on the 11th Concession in Puslinch Township. The first was a home to accommodate a family of five; the second, “Elrig House” (in honour of Elrig, Jim’s Scottish family seat), suited their retirement life and expanding family. Both had a swimming pool, a tennis court and acres of room for family fun and exercise. Their countless travels and adventures in ports of call aboard the Holland America Cruise Line rendered them 4 Star Mariners. Their second home was in Florida. Ever generous, friends and family could count on a reprieve from winter, a cruise down the Gulf Coast on the Miss JEKI, and a fun-filled stay.
“Everything I have done has been for my family” was a phrase that Jim said often. Nothing could be more true. His children and grandchildren could always count on him for support and encouragement in their private and career pursuits. A memorable time was when Jim invited his extended family to a “Hislop” reunion in 1990. From Scotland, Australia and New Zealand his cousins and their families came and enjoyed a warm Puslinch welcome. He hired vans and ushered them to all the sights that Southern Ontario had to offer. Everyone they met was charmed by the Scottish…
It was with his conviction to, “be bloody bold and resolute,” that Jim went into business for himself in 1980. Together with his longtime friend and business partner, Bill Bartels, Canparts Automotive International Ltd. was launched. Premier Bill Davis was present at the opening which The Cambridge Daily Reporter reported would employ 20. Exceeding expectations, Jim, Bill and their amazing team went on to employ over 300 with three plants running three shifts manufacturing disc brake pads for the foreign car aftermarket. It was the most exciting time of Jim’s business life and his proudest career achievement. In 1982 Canparts was awarded the Canada Export Award with sales in over 40 countries. Just two years later, in 1984, Bill and Jim personally received The Canada Award for Excellence as Entrepreneurs and then in 1986 Canparts received The Province of Ontario Business Achievement Award of Excellence. Jim’s entrepreneurial spirit flourished and his family couldn’t have been more proud.
After selling Canparts in 1987, Jim began his “second career”. A long time fan of harness racing, it was one of his dreams to own his own horses. He purchased a farm outside of Campbellville that had stables and a track. Elrig Stables was established. With Ian Reid as trainer, and his mum and dad, Mae and Ian (long time close friends of Jim and Irene), running the day-to-day operations, Jim enjoyed the thrill of watching his standardbred pacers cross the finish line first. Various plaques and photos can be found around the house as a reminder of those exciting times at Woodbine and Mohawk Raceways. Jim, Irene and the Reids organized picnics for their friends and their families at the farm regularly. Dad loved this time of his life and as we all joked, if you wanted to wake Jim up all you had to say was, “They’re at the post…and they’re off!”
From Scotland to Canada, from single guy to married with children and grandchildren, from auditor to business leader, from laying bets, to horseman, Jim lived life to its fullest. We remember mum at the piano accompanying dad while he sang, “The Impossible Dream” at friends and family gatherings. We wonder if he realized that that was HIS song.
And now the pipes are playing Jim. Time to embrace Irene, play a round of golf with Ian, kick a heavy, wet football with John, and pick a trifecta with Stan. Fare thee well lad…fare thee well.
The family wishes to acknowledge the exceptional care of Dr. Ryan McArthur and the incredible team at Peace of Mind Care. Our deepest heartfelt thanks for looking after Jim over these past three years.
A private family gathering will be held. Arrangements entrusted to WALL-CUSTANCE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL (519-822-0051 / www.wallcustance.com).
Memorial contributions to the Foundation of Guelph General Hospital or a charity of your choice would be appreciated.
A tree will be planted in memory of James H. Smith in the Wall-Custance Memorial Forest.
