Obituary of Christopher Boyd Smith

With his family by his side, Christopher Boyd Smith of East Saint John passed away on Wednesday, March 13, 2019 at the Saint John Regional Hospital after an epic journey with colon cancer. Chris was first diagnosed with cancer in 2014; unfortunately the cancer metastasized in 2015. At that time Chris decided he was going to live life on his own terms, cancer be damned, and so he balanced arduous chemo treatments with his family life, doing the things he enjoyed the most with the people he loved the most, defying every prognosis made.

Chris was born in Saint John, New Brunswick on August 28, 1978 and lived his whole life here. He graduated from St. Malachy’s Memorial High School in 1996, and from the New Brunswick Community College in 2000 with a diploma in Electronics and Engineering Technology. Chris began working for J.D. Irving, Limited in the IT Division in 2000 and had a very successful 15-year career in various roles, “retiring” as a Security Analyst in 2015.

Chris loved his family more than anything else – he was a generous, loving husband to Carol, and incredibly patient father to Cameron. His interests and hobbies included wakeboarding, travelling, barbecuing, ATVing, racing RC vehicles, and researching anything for anyone. His favourite place in the world was the cottage where he loved boating and water skiing; being on the water anywhere was his favourite thing to do. Chris was known for his colourful storytelling, vast knowledge & skills and his can-do attitude. Chris understood completely that life was for living, having fun and being happy, and that is what he focused on for the time that he had on this earth.

Survived by his loving family: wife Carol (Large) Smith, son Cameron, mother Judy Boyd (Chris Fader), father Bob Smith (Gisele), brothers David (Sarah Riche), Colin, Ryan, mother-in-law Mary Large, father-in-law Donald Large (Millie), brothers and sisters-in-law, along with many aunts & uncles, cousins, nieces & nephews, and the 3 family cats Annie, Kali & Kingston. Predeceased by wife Melissa Smith (née Jones) and grandparents Boyd and Smith.

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Chris’ family would like to express their sincere appreciation to Dr. Gray, Nurse Pam & his entire team at the Oncology Department at the Saint John Regional Hospital, as well as the Palliative Care Outreach & Extra Mural teams in Saint John. In addition, Chris, Carol & Cameron are infinitely grateful for the support & love of our family, friends, and colleagues – you all contributed to Chris’ wonderful life and we will always be thankful.

Resting at Brenan’s Funeral Home, 111 Paradise Row, Saint John, NB, (634-7424) where visitation will be held on Sunday, March 17, 2019 from 2:00-4:00 pm & 6:00-8:00 pm. A Celebration of Life will be held on Monday, March 18, 2019 at Noon from Brenan’s Chapel, with reception to follow. Online condolences may be placed at www.brenansfh.com.

For those who wish, remembrances made to the Saint John Animal Rescue/SPCA or Bobby’s Hospice would be appreciated by the family.