Smiley, John Richard; was born September 14, 1921 in Brandon, Manitoba. He was a pilot in the RCAF during World War II and met Barbara, the love of his life, at the end of the war in England. John earned a doctorate in biostatistics at the University of Western Ontario in 1953, and worked at the Institute of Aviation Medicine and then the Ontario Ministry of Health in Toronto until his retirement in 1980. In retirement John travelled, entertained friends and did volunteer work of many kinds especially at St. John’s Rockwood where he oversaw a major restoration and was warden and then at St. John’s Elora where he was envelope secretary and also spent many hours working for the Elora Festival and Singers. John died peacefully on March 12, 2014 at age 92 at Wellington Terrace in Fergus. The family will be eternally grateful to the staff at Wellington Terrace for the loving care they gave him in his last year. He is survived by his wife Barbara (Bonnie), his children Alison, Gillian and Jayne, his grandchildren Christopher and Sarah, and his great-grandchildren Lennox and Bonny. He was much loved and will be greatly missed by his family, and by many friends in Elora and environs. A celebration of his life will be held at St. John’s Elora on Saturday, March 22 at 11:00 am. In lieu of flowers, please donate to St. John’s Elora Choir Fund. www.grahamgiddyfh.com 519-843-3100
