John "Ed" Herbert Edwin Smith

Born on March 3, 1936, in Wilmot Parish, Carleton County, New Brunswick, Ed was the son of Edwin Mills Smith and Faye Lydia Buchanan. He was predeceased by his first wife, Hilda (née Thompson), in 1987, and by his sister Eva (Ray, deceased) Hansen. Edwin is survived by his loving wife, Helen Isnor; his children Dr. Richard (Charlotte) Isnor, Sid (Erika) Isnor, Beth (Jeff) King, and Karen Joy Isnor; and five cherished grandchildren: Sydney, Kaiden, and Eveline Isnor, as well as Ryan and Kristine King. He is also survived by his sisters: Iva (Dan, deceased) O’Donnell of Doaktown, NB; Lt. Col. Mona Stanley (Lt. Col. Ralph Stanley, deceased) of Conception Bay, NL; and Major Myrna Dixon (Major Frank Dixon) of Ottawa, ON. Edwin was a beloved uncle to many nieces and nephews, always known as Uncle Ed.

Edwin moved to Fredericton, NB at age two and lived there until 1954, when he relocated to Halifax. He began his career at Sussex Ginger Ale in 1952 and subsequently worked at Maritime Beverages and Pepsi Cola Inc., dedicating 43 years of service until his retirement in 1995.

A lifelong member and supporter of the Salvation Army, Edwin joined the Salvation Army at age five and played in the Senior Band from age thirteen until he was eighty-five. He traveled with the Salvation Army Halifax Citadel Band throughout the Maritimes and Ontario. Ed was a steadfast soldier in the Salvation Army Corps in Fredericton, Halifax Citadel, Moncton, and Halifax West.

In retirement, Edwin and Helen devoted themselves to volunteer work with the Salvation Army. He drove the food truck, serving food on the streets of Halifax. He started the Feed the Need Program at Halifax Citadel, serving the homeless and hungry. He packed groceries and toys for Christmas distribution and volunteered to support refugees from Kosovo, families impacted by the Swissair disaster, first responders in New York City after September 11, families affected by Hurricane Ike in Galveston, Texas, and those impacted by fires and hurricanes in Nova Scotia.

Edwin’s hobbies included woodturning, traveling, and singing with the Dartmouth Choral, the International Tattoo Choir, the Halifax Songsters, and the Halifax West Community Choir. He traveled extensively throughout Europe, the USA, and Canada, and enjoyed cruises with Helen to Hawaii, the Caribbean, Alaska, and other destinations, including family trips.

He also volunteered with Big Brothers, sharing a special bond with his Little Brother, Paul. Edwin treasured time at the family cottage, relaxing on the dock wearing his favorite Pepsi hat, and enjoyed frequent coffee gatherings in his later years with close friends and former colleagues.

In lieu of flowers, charitable donations in Edwin’s memory may be made to the Junior Band Fund at Halifax West Salvation Army, or simply by taking a friend for coffee or performing a kindness for someone in need, honoring Edwin’s legacy of generosity and compassion.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday October 7th from 6-8 PM at Snow’s Funeral Home, 339 Lacewood Drive, Halifax. Funeral service will be held on Wednesday, October 8 at 11:00 AM at the Salvation Army Halifax West Community Church, 50 Gesner Street, Halifax.