George Henri Smith

He was born in Barri, Ontario on December 13th, 1942 to Hermine and James Joseph Smith “Min & Joe”

When Hank was just three years old he made his first recording, when he recited, by heart, "The Night Before Christmas" on the radio in Kirkland Lake, Ontario. Hank was raised in Verner, a French-speaking village in Ontario where he became an avid hockey fan of the Toronto Maple Leafs and visited that city with his father when he was five years old. The suit he wore during that trip became legendary in the family as "the Toronto suit."

Hank enjoyed the simple things in life; a quiet sunrise, a beautiful sunset, listening to music, taking a drive, family gatherings, playing games like Balderdash, playing guitar, camping, boating, reading, story telling and preaching the gospel. He was an excellent Skeet marksman for which he had earned several trophies. He enjoyed riding motorcycles and even took a cross country trip on one.

Hank was one of the original Paramedics that helped to start Broward County EMS in the 1970’s. He retired as a Lieutenant Paramedic. He taught Paramedic Training at Medical Arts Training Center in Lauderdale Lakes. He also lived for a few years in Tom's River, NJ, where he was a Therapeutic Hypnotist. He owned and operated a garage door company in Palm Beach County, The Door Smith. Most recently, he owned and operated Hank’s Permits.

Above all else, Hank would want to be remembered as a Christian. He wrote a song called, “The Brick”. It is a song that gives thanks to the Lord for throwing a brick at him after years of Hank ignoring the stones. He was always happy to help deliver food to the less fortunate, as well as, deliver toys to the children during the holidays. A few years ago, he traveled to Haiti with Grace Christian Church on a mission of fellowship. Even a few short weeks ago, as he layed in ICU he repeatedly said he wanted to get better so he could help others.

His family will remember him, not just as the intelligent and kind adult we all knew, but as the skinny tow-headed boy with sun-burned shoulders and, as we often said about him in the family, the one with "a heart of gold."

Hank is survived by his wife Alice Smith, his children; George Smith Jr., Cathy Mayone, Debbie Schreiber and their spouses Susan, Jerry and Tom, his grandchildren Courtney Schilling and her spouse Thomas, Melanie Mayone, Christina, Sarah and Aaron Smith, Cole and Pierce Schreiber, his great grandchild Thomas “T-5”, his siblings; Roch, Richard, Jim and Louise and their spouses, Elaine, Arnette and Anita, as well as eight nephews and a niece.

A Memorial Service will be held Thursday April 19th 2012 at 6:30 at First Christian Church of Pompano Beach, 1860 NE 39th Street, Pompano Beach, Florida by Friend and Pastor Don Smith