Wade Holly Smith

I would like you to know that my work here is done. My new assignment comes with a huge bonus: a reunion with family and friends I haven’t seen in a long time. I wanted to write my own obituary, but time didn’t permit so if there is something or someone left out...blame my brother Craig.

So here goes, as told by my brother Craig:

With family and Sherry, the love of his life by his side, Wade Holly Smith, 50, passed away peacefully on Friday, June 2, 2017 after a short but courageous battle with gastric adenocarcinoma (stomach cancer). Born on May 14, 1967 in Halifax, Wade was the son of Muriel (Borden) and the late Robert “Bobby” Smith.

To those who knew him, knew that believed in the power of education and what doors that could open. From his Alexandra School for Life buddies, to rolling through Oxford Jr. High three deep, and QEH helped him prepare for a new journey in higher learning.

With a thirst for continuing education, Wade went on to receive his Bachelor of Arts degree from St. FX University, a Bachelor of Education at Saint Mary’s University and Masters of Education at Mount Saint Vincent University.

Wade was a mentor, teacher and principal in the public, adult and University school system for more than 25 years. His love of being in the classroom at Weymouth Consolidated, Cole Harbour, Sackville, Sir. John A. MacDonald High, Saint Pats, Halifax West High Schools, Highland Park Junior High, and of course Citadel High was his passion.

His first love was basketball where he began his career at Community Y on Brunswick Street. Yes, Brunswick Street, in the basement of the Brunswick Street United Church. Wade quickly excelled in basketball including playing for Canada’s Junior National Team, the Canada Games Team which has afforded NS it’s only Canada Games Gold Medal in basketball to name a few. Quick shout out to the teammates that held it down for the win. Wade's athletic prowess on the basketball court continued when he went on to become a member of the St. FX basketball team in the eighties. It wasn’t the numerous basketball awards that he was most proud of, it was the lifetime friendships that he made that were most important. He was a little ticked when his scoring record was broken but he was proud of the young man who broke it.

His desire to give back to the basketball world came in the form of coaching either at the Community Y, High School, and Basketball NS and that had lead him to the pinnacle of his coaching career when he was named head coach of Nova Scotia’s U-17 Boys Canada Games Team.

As a mentor, Wade believed in setting goals and sharing his time with everyone. He often expressed "giving back was not a choice, it was an obligation.” Wade liked to live life simple, “you get up everyday and go to work and make a difference in someone’s life.” He would say: “keep it simple, keep it smooth and keep it moving”. This was his emblem and he embodied the "Each One, Teach One" philosophy. The hip-hop culture ran swiftly through the veins of Wade Smith. He was acutely in-tune with the fact that the hip-hop culture was a positive learning tool for the 21st generation.

He was excited with the development of "Two Scotian Griots" with Malik Adams, which was culturally based and culturally relevant and reached students, corporations and federal institutions.

Besides Wade's athletic ability, selfless mentoring and gifted teaching prowess, Wade possessed an incredible artistic ability. He went on to creatively develop the symbol for the Provincial Black Basketball Tournament which graced the t-shirts worn by the players and the souvenir programs given out to attendees for years, and also the Man Up Logo.

It is readily apparent that Wade accomplished more than most on and off the basketball court, but his most accomplished and trusted assets were with his devoted wife Sherry and his two incredibly talented, loving, and well equipped for life sons Jaydan and Jaxon. If one ever reads an interview or story given by Wade, he unequivocally would quote the family “rides together” that he could not and would not accomplish anything he did without the support of Sherry and his two sons. The three of them were the centre-piece of his life and most notably, his most accomplished acts in his life.

Besides his wife and sons, he is survived by his loving mother Muriel Smith, Godson Mekhi Paris, “special daughter” Sherelle Carvery and “special son” Tristan Ross; brothers : Mark (Ann), Craig (Rosella), Thane (Denise), sister, Lezlie (Brian States), loving in-laws, nieces, nephews and a host of long time friends, Godmother Jahalia Smith.

Wade's family would like to graciously thank Reverend Dr. Lennett J. Anderson and his team, for their constant and undying comfort and support throughout Wade's journey; devoted extended family member and close friends, colleagues, students, staff, mentors, and Dr. Anjli Joshi and the many other doctors and nurses of Victoria General Hospital for their unwavering and steadfast care provided as well as A special thank you to Dr. Snow, Dr. Jenny, nursing staff of 11 floor VG Chemotherapy Unit, 8th floor Oncology Ward and Lisa Mentis-Sparks aka The Hall Monitor for dedication and unwavering support throughout this journey.

Open visitation will be held on Wednesday, June 7, 2017 from 2:00pm to 4:00pm and 6:00pm to 8:00pm at Snows Funeral Home located on 399 Lacewood Drive, Halifax, Nova Scotia. A celebration of Wade’s life will take place on Thursday, June 8, 2017 at 1:00pm at the Emmanuel Baptist Church located 633 Pockwock Road, Upper Hammonds Plains, with Reverend Dr. Lennett J. Anderson officiating.

In lieu of flowers Wade would suggest you spend time with your children and loved ones, toast your great friendships, keep things simple, keep things smooth, and keep things moving.

Those who so desire to, may make memorial donations to the Wade Smith Memorial Scholarship Fund or Education Fund for Jaydan and Jaxon via Scotiabank. Cremation has taken place and interment will be at a later date.