On March 13, 2016, the family of Carl Layton Smith of Sackville, NB, stood witness to his peaceful passing to eternal rest.
In January, 1934, Layton was the last of three children born to Carl and Laura (Atkinson) Smith of Fort Lawrence, NS. He will be welcomed Home by those who he is predeceased by his mother and father, brother, Ronald Smith (Catherine) and sister, Shirley Runcie (Geordie)
At the age of just fourteen years, Layton found his one true love, Shirley Beharrell, with who he cherished sixty-two blessed years of marriage. Their children, Gordon Smith (Susan), Ann Geddes (Randy) and Linda Smith McCormack (Don) will miss him dearly, as well as his six grandsons: Michael Geddes (Kate), Steven Smith (Ellen), Mark Geddes, Tim Smith (Julia), Jamie Smith, and Ross McCormack, and two great-grandsons, Layton Smith -his namesake- and Luke Geddes, both born in 2015; two step-grandchildren Kellie Reicker (Luke) and Bradley Keirstead (Dawn) ; step great grandchildren Jurne, Jaden and Allie Reicker and Eoin Keirstead. Together the family will carry Layton's legacy of always being a community-minded gentleman exemplifying integrity, work ethic, and friendship.
At the tender age of fifteen years, with a love for anything on wheels, Layton's working life began at Murdock Motors and D. A. Casey Ltd. in Amherst, NS, followed by twenty-seven years running his own business, Layton Smith Ltd. Esso Oil in Sackville, NB, and finally as President of H. E. Fisher Ltd. for Atlantic Wholesalers in Moncton, NB for ten years.
After suffering a major stroke at just fifty-six years of age, in true spirit, he still managed to enjoy his retirement years with hobbies like cottaging at Anne's Acres, camp days on Mahoney Road, trailering and following Bluegrass festivals, snowmobiling, four-wheeling, and spending winters in Florida with wonderful friends and the love of his life, Shirley. In spite of his physical struggles, Layton was admired by many for always approaching life with grace and determination.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Jones Funeral Home, 70 Bridge St., (506-364-1300) where Shirley and family invite you to celebrate Layton's life during visitation from 2 - 5 pm on Wednesday, March 16, 2016 and the service to be held at 2 pm on Thursday, March 17, 2016 at Jones Funeral Home, Sackville, NB, with Rev. Catherine Smith officiating. Burial will take place in the Four Corners Cemetery in the spring.
In Layton's memory and in lieu of flowers, the family encourages you to make a donation to the Sackville Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, the IWK Children's Hospital, or a charity of your choice.
Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting Layton's online memorial at www.jonesfuneralhome.ca or through the funeral home Facebook Page.