Obituary — Bob Smith left his mark in Bolton in many ways

July 3, 2013 · 0 Comments

By Bill Rea
Bob Smith was being remembered last week as someone who gave back to his community, almost by nature, and he had a lot of recognition to show for it.
The long-time Bolton resident died last Tuesday (June 25). He was 89.
Mr. Smith was a fixture in the community on many levels, including as the long-time owner of Leggett and Smith Pharmacy, which was at the northeast corner of King and Queen Streets in Bolton. He was also a member of the Rotary Club of Bolton for more than 50 years, and was five times named a Paul Harris Fellow. He was also noted for his volunteer activities with Caledon Seniors’ Centre, 25 years as a commissioner with Bolton Hydro and years of service to Bolton United Church.
Additionally, Mr. Smith was named Caledon’s Volunteer Champion in 2008.
“Bob is a friend to all,” Mayor Marolyn Morrison observed at the time as she made the presentation.
In accepting the award five years ago, Mr. Smith said he came to Bolton in 1951 and started working at the drug store, believing at the time that the area was not going to grow much.
“If I can do anything for the community, I try,” he said on receiving the recognition. “That’s all you can do.”
His fellow Rotarian Murray Stewart recalled working on projects with Mr. Smith.
“Certainly, he’s been involved with lots of them,” he said.
Stewart said Mr. Smith was involved in several fundraising efforts to help with Rotary’s commitment to the Albion-Bolton Community Centre.
“Bob was always there to help and always suggesting ideas that were new and fresh,” Stewart added.
He also recalled Mr. Smith getting elected officials interested in housing for seniors, which helped lead to the development of the apartment complex on Jane Street in Bolton.
“He was a mover and shaker and encourager of that project,” he remarked.
“His 52 years in Rotary has been one of the areas where he has expended a lot of energy,” Stewart commented, adding Mr. Smith was behind an endowment that enables the club to extend a $500 scholarship annually to a graduate from Humberview Secondary School “who excels in chemistry, who has high general proficiency and is an all-around student in the school.”
Caledon Councillor Richard Whitehead also was a member of the Bolton club with Mr. Smith for a number of years.
“Bob did an awful lot in the old village of Bolton,” he recalled.
“He just would do anything for the community,” he observed, recalling that Mr. Smith would deliver drugs to shut-ins and keep track of them to make sure they were alright. “He was a great guy to do community service without a thought. He was just one of those people who believed in community service and acted upon it.”
“One of the main themes of Rotary is ‘Service above self,’” Whitehead added. “That was Bob Smith.”
Services for Mr. Smith were held yesterday (Wednesday) at Egan Funeral Home in Bolton, followed by cremation.
Those wishing to make donations in his memory may do so to the charity of their choice.