Gordon Frederick Smith

Gordon Frederick Smith, 01/01/1928 – 05/18/2023, A Life Lived to the Fullest Gordon was born January 1, 1928 at home, 69 Hilda Ave, in North Toronto, Ontario Canada, to parents Thomas Stephen Smith and Olive (Bowyer) Smith. He was the youngest of five children: sisters Myrtle and Dorothy; and brothers Leslie and Donald. He was the last of his immediate family living, with his closest brother Donald passing away December 2022. Gordon grew up during the Great Depression and World War II, with his family contributing to the Canadian Military and War work. He attended Bedford Park public school and Northern Vocational High School, where he learned drafting and mechanical engineering. From an early age Gordon was interested in building things and learning how things worked and fit together, which motivated him to become a very talented mechanical and manufacturing engineer. Gordon met his wife of almost 70 years, Verna Ruth Grose, in 1948 at a dance, and they were married on September 24, 1949 in Wexford, Ontario. Gordon had to sell his car to purchase the engagement ring – that’s how much he loved Verna. During the next five years they had a daughter Barbara Ruth and a son Thomas Vernon. In 1955 Gordon and Verna decided to move to Los Angeles, California. Jobs were plentiful in the aerospace industry, and the warmer climate was desirable, so they procured immigration papers and set out for a new adventure. In 1968, the family moved to Santa Barbara, where another son Donald Freeman was born. Gordon’s career as a manufacturing engineer spanned more than 50 years, with many accomplishments along the way. He worked at two major manufacturing companies in the Toronto area, and three firms in the Los Angeles area including a period of self-employment., before moving to Santa Barbara. There he worked on various projects for NASA at Astro Research. He then founded and was the owner and General Manager of Helistrand Inc. and Strand Products, Inc. after working for Astro. He was an entrepreneur and inventor and is the owner of the Patent for the Kurly Kable, a self-coiling cable to secure bicycles. Strand Product cables can be found on Kenworth, Peterbilt, and Western Star 18-wheel trucks. Gordon’s life did not just revolve around work. He was a devoted husband, a loving generous father, a doting grandfather, and a good friend to many in his sphere of influence. His passions and loves (aside from his family) were: spending time at White Lake, Ontario, fishing, hunting, flying radio-controlled model airplanes, fixing old cars (1930 Model A), tinkering and fixing things around the house, making music with his voice, and guitar or banjo, and traveling. Gordon was a long-time member of El Montecito Presbyterian Church, was active in Men’s Bible Study, taught Sunday School, and went on mission trips to an orphanage in Ensenada, Mexico. He also volunteered at the Santa Barbara Rescue Mission, the Community Kitchen, the Boy Scouts, and other non-profit community groups. He loved using his many talents to help people. Gordon was pre-deceased by his wife Verna and his son Tom. He is survived by daughter Barbara Reed (Robert), and son Donald (Renee). Gordon leaves three grandchildren, Regina Ruth Peters, Lucas A. Smith, and Gordon T. Smith, eight great-grandsons, and one great-granddaughter, plus numerous other family members in the USA and Canada. A Memorial service will be held at El Montecito Presbyterian Church, 1455 E. Valley Road, on Thursday July 20, 2023 at 10:00 am with reception to follow. Gordon’s ashes will be interred next to his wife’s grave in Toronto in the fall. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to either the Santa Barbara Rescue Mission (https://sbrm.org/donate/) or the American Lung Association ( https://www.lung.org/ )

Gordon Frederick Smith

January 1, 1928 - May 18, 2023