Murdo Donald Smith

He attended school where at five years old he first learned English.

After graduating he went south to Glasgow in 1948 where he apprenticed at John Brown

Shipyard and attended night classes. He completed his apprenticeship in 1953. He remained with Brown’s in their draughting department.

In 1952 he completed his Mechanical Engineering certificate.

He joined the Merchant marine service and sailed with B.P. on tankers till the fall of 1956 when he left B .P. for health reasons. He returned to ship building with Simon – Lobnitz on the Clyde.

Murdo had married in 1956 and started a family the following year.

In 1962 he applied for work at V.M.D. shipyard in Victoria and he was instantly hired. He had to go there right away and the family followed three months later. V.M.D. built the B.C. ferries at this time. After a few years, Murdo and a fellow worker, John Case, decided to start in business for themselves. They designed the sea busses for Vancouver and the car upper ramps for the B.C. Ferries. In 1980 the company broke up and Murdo started another business with new partners. During this time he studied and was awarded his naval architect certificate. The new business was S.H.M. Marine engineering which was very successful. He later sold the business and upon retiring kept returning to the office, as an adviser, until 2012. He travelled the world extensively in his business particularly North and South America and across Europe.

Murdo was also a member of the Victoria Lapidary & Mineral Society for over 40 years and held positions during those years as President, Secretary, Treasurer, membership and workshop co-ordinator also teaching courses in basic lapidary. He enjoyed cabbing rocks, making clocks and going on field trips.

Another of his hobbies was hooking rugs.

He left to grieve his wife Barbara, daughters Anne and Lorna (Ron) and son Iain.

Many thanks go to the staff of Saanich Peninsula Hospital.