Obituary of Brother Patrick Smit

Br. Patrick (Lambert M. J. Smit), 68, member of the Brothers of Saint Louis for 50 years, died on December 1, 2009 at Bluewater Health, Palliative Care, Sarnia, Ontario. He is survived by his sister Wil and his brothers Jos, Jan and Gerard. Born in Laren, Holland in 1941, he came to Canada in 1966. Patrick was a Eucharistic minister at Sacred Heart Parish and a dedicated high school teacher at Saint Patrick’s. In his own quiet way he was very much involved in Rayjon’s eyeglass project in Sarnia and Haiti and other countries. This included collecting the glasses from hundreds of people in and outside Sarnia, washing these glasses, measuring them and getting them ready for shipment to the underprivileged in the world. Many volunteers assisted him with this project. He helped people at Vision Nursing Home, took patients to the London Cancer Clinic, was a Big Brother and served meals at the Inn of the Good Shepherd. Patrick was a man of service. He contributed a great deal to community living among his fellow brothers. He was the man who answered the incoming phone calls, mowed the lawn, raked the thousands of fall leaves, kept the driveway clean of snow and always had wood ready for the fireplace during the winter. Patrick was a computer expert and gladly taught Father Tom and others a few computer specials. He was an inspiration to his fellow brothers and to many people. Special thanks to Dr. Glen Maddison and the nurses who lovingly cared for him. Visitation will be held at the McKENZIE & BLUNDY FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION CENTRE, 431 N. Christina St., Sarnia, on Sunday, December 6 from 3:00-5:00 and 7:00-9:00 p.m. where prayers will be offered at 8:00 p.m. The Celebration of his life will take place at Sacred Heart Church on Monday, December 7 at 11:00 a.m. The Celebrant will be Father Tom Lever. Brother Patrick has generously donated his body to medical science, and cremation will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation, in honour of Br. Patrick, to the Brothers of St. Louis for their mission in Indonesia or to the Canadian Cancer Society. Messages of condolence and memories may be left at www.mckenzieblundy.com A tree will be planted in memory of Brother Patrick Smit in the McKenzie & Blundy Memorial Forest. Dedication service Sunday, September 19th, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. at the Wawanosh Wetlands Conservation Area.