Bradford William Charles Smith
May 7, 1954 to December 1, 2024
A bright light in this world has been extinguished but its glow will remain for a long time in the people it has touched!
Bradford (Brad) Smith, 70, of Dryden, Ontario, passed away peacefully following a valiant battle with cancer with the people who loved him the most by his side. Brad was born in Duluth to William Charles and Joan Judeen Smith. Brad was a beloved fiancé, best friend and devoted father. Brad was a longtime pilot, beginning his career in 1975, flying in many remote areas of Ontario, Juneau, Alaska, Baker Lake and Chantrey Inlet, Northwest Territories. Most of the flying was charter work to tourist camps, mining camps and remote indigenous settlements. He also flew mail, supplies and passengers from central locations to remote outposts. His favorite plane was the Grumman Goose (Amphibian). Flying was one of his passions. Anytime he heard a plane, he would run and see what type of plane it was. He was known for his kindness, strength, skills, dedication to his work, mentorship and humility. He was passionate about everything he did. He was a true one-of-a-kind gentleman. Brad was a devoted family man, he cherished his time and adventures spent with his fiancée, Jodi Short, and his children, Sarah and Luke Smith. Brad raised his children to love the outdoors and they have inherited his love and skills for the wilderness through his mentorship which filled him with insurmountable pride. Brad loved the outdoors. He built his log home literally with his own hands. He enjoyed the simple things in life. He enjoyed spending time with Jodi and the kids at the family resort, picnicking, blueberry picking, fishing, skiing and sitting on the swing at the lodge reminiscing of the old days. Brad was an avid skier. With his grandfather, Erik Judeen, passing on his skiing traits and skills, Brad became a fine skier winning many races with Duluth East. Brad was a volunteer ski instructor with the Dryden Ski Club. Later in life, Brad became fond of traveling to Cat Island in the Bahamas and enjoyed spending time there with his family. Brad was predeceased in death by his parents, William Charles and Joan Judeen Smith, sister, Darcy Jo Smith (Richard Hillmer). Brad is survived by his fiancée, Jodi Short, children, Sarah Smith (Pierce Lane) and Luke Smith (Sonja Bedard) and the children’s mother, Margaret Smith and niece, Emily Hillmer. A celebration of life will be held Saturday, May 3rd, from 11 am to 3 pm at Northern Wilderness Outfitters in Fort Frances, Ontario. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Korkki Ski Club or Dryden Ski Club. His memory will forever be cherished, by those who knew him.
