Jack Allison Smith

It is with heavy hearts that the family of Jack Allison Smith announces his passing at the Upper River Valley Hospital on September 24, 2026, after a short, but difficult illness. Jack was born in Woodstock on December 18, 1951, to Vivian (Shaw) and Owen Smith. He was the big brother to Debbie (Joe Taylor), Amber (David Wishart), Jim Smith (Kim), Arthur Smith (Bev), and Bruce Smith (Debbie).

Jack spent most of his life in Simonds. After meeting his wife, Lorretta “Lori” (nee Giberson), they built their home next to Vivian and Owen, where they raised their children, Darren and Amy (Mike Antworth). They later welcomed their grandchildren, Olivia and Grady, who meant the world to Jack “Grampa”, and who will miss him dearly. Jack lived his entire life on the property, overlooking the St. John River, where he was raised, remaining surrounded by many of the same families and neighbors he had known since childhood. Earlier this year Jack and Lori celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.

Jack had a deep love for the outdoors and found his greatest joy in nature. Jack rarely missed a weekend at camp, enjoying every opportunity to be there from early spring until the winter snow finally closed the road for the season. Him and Lori spent that time fishing, hunting, and having cookouts along the riverbank or trail. Jack took great pride in teaching his grandchildren how to fish and shoot, passing along both his skills and his appreciation for the outdoors. Countless memories were made fishing on the Upsalquitch, Restigouche, and Miramichi rivers, and hunting with his brothers and brothers-in-law, including trips to Alberta and New York, which provided no shortage of stories. Jack was never one to sit idle. Whether he was tidying up around the yard, enjoying a campfire with family and friends, or relaxing on the porch overlooking the river while catching up on the week's news, he always found joy in the simple pleasures of camp life.

As a proud father and grandfather, Jack rarely missed a basketball, hockey, or baseball game, always showing up to support his children and grandchildren. This past summer, despite facing health challenges he had yet to understand, Jack continued to spend countless weekends at the baseball field, never missing an opportunity to provide his support. His constant presence, pride, and love for his family will be remembered as one of the many ways he showed how deeply he cared.

Jack graduated from Hartland High School in 1969 and then attended NB Institute of Technology in Moncton to take Engineering. He spent his career with Day & Ross Transportation, initially as a truck driver and then moving into Safety and Broker Relations.

Long after moving on from truck driving, Jack maintained his license and volunteered to take on a cross-Canada journey, with Lori, in a transport truck, combining his love of travel with a profession that had been such a big part of his life. Jack and Lori enjoyed many road trips, including drives to Newfoundland to watch Amy play basketball, several trips to Florida, and annual autumn getaways throughout the Maritimes. As Jack got older, he developed an appreciation for warmer weather and enjoyed several trips south with family.

In addition to his immediate family, Jack is survived by his wife’s sisters, brothers and their spouses, of whom there are many: Barb Spencer, Linwood Giberson, Myrtle Giberson-Scott (Joe), Peggy Kinney, Patsy (Arnold) Patterson, Larry (Nancy) Giberson, Tommy (Janet) Giberson, Leonard (Karen) Giberson, Hazen (Donna) Gibeson, and Susan (Mike) Kovacich. Jack is also survived by his uncle Alton (Jean) Shaw, as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins, too numerous to name individually but each holding a special place in his heart. An acknowledgement is extended to Jim Sullivan and family. Jack also enjoyed the companionship of Juno, the dog he affectionately had “weekend custody” of.

Jack is predeceased by his parents, his sister Debbie Taylor, his wife’s parents Berton and Beulah Giberson, along with brothers/sisters-in-law Joe Taylor, Theodore Giberson, Merrill, Giberson, Winston Giberson, Clinton Giberson, Shirley Moore, Ron Spencer, Robert Kinney, and Ruth Giberson, as well several aunts and uncles from the Shaw, Smith and Stiles families.

Jack’s family wishes to express special thanks to Dr. Stocek and his staff, the staff at the SJRH 4B South, and the staff at the URVH who all had a part in caring for Jack during his final days.

There will be no formal visitation or funeral. Close family will be notified of a private graveside gathering where Jack will be taken home to Simonds and laid to rest next to his parents in the Lower Simonds Cemetery.

If so desired, donations to the Lower Simonds Cemetery in Jack's memory would be appreciated by the family.