SMITH, Rev. Dr. Lyman Eveleigh.After 98 very good years our father, L. Eveleigh (Ev) Smith died peacefully on July 11, 2016, in Victoria, BC, surrounded by his 3 children. Ev was born on the farm in Belwood, ON on March 29, 1918 to Lyman Dewitt and Hazel Franklin Smith. Growing up on the farm with his younger brother Alvin, he attended school in Belwood followed by graduation from Fergus High School. Ev then ventured off to Victoria College, University of Toronto; a major step indeed for a young man of 17 years. Continuing on to Emmanuel Theological College, Ev was ordained by the United Church of Canada in 1941. In 1942 he married Jean Simpson and they lived and served congregations in Massey, Haileybury, Dunnville and Ancaster, Ontario. During his ministry in Dunnville he received his Doctor of Theology degree from the U. of T., combined with several summers of course work completed at Union Theological Seminary in New York City. In 1963 Ev, Jean and their 3 children moved to Edmonton, AB, followed by his last pastorate in Regina, SK. Upon retirement they returned to the Simpson homestead in Belwood and spent many enjoyable years dividing their time between their cottage on Trout Lake, North Bay and the farm. Both family and friends share fond memories of summers spent at the Lake. After Jean’s death in 1995, Ev moved briefly to Victoria to be closer to family. He returned to Guelph in 1998 to marry Frances Wright, followed by happy years spent in familiar settings. After Frances’ death, he returned to Victoria to enjoy life at Somerset House, golfing, volunteering and visits with family. Ev witnessed a lot of changes during his rich and varied career as a United Church minister. He always believed in the vision of a bright future for the denomination. He had the opportunity to view first-hand the difference the United Church was making around the world while visiting China, Africa, India and the Middle East. He is lovingly remembered by his daughter Anne-Marie (Mark Malek) Vernon, Philip (Michelle Vermette) Victoria, Douglas (Laurie) N. Vancouver; grandchildren Andrea (Ryan), David, Michael (Brittney) and Jefferson; great-grandchildren Shane, Julia and Marshall; sister-in-law Marie Smith, brother-in-law Robert Kilborn. He is pre-deceased by his parents, brother Alvin, three infant siblings, sister-in-law Lois Kilborn and wives Jean and Frances. A Celebration of Life will be held in Belwood at a later date.
