Boyd Stanley Smith
May 11, 1944 to September 1, 2025
Obituary
To view the funeral service for Boyd Stanley Smith, please click HERE
It is with tremendous sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Boyd Stanley Smith, age 81, of St. John’s (originally Spaniard’s Bay) on September 1, 2025. Surrounded by family, Boyd has left us with a lifetime of warm and treasured memories.
Boyd was born on May 11, 1944 in Spaniard’s Bay, NL. After completing grade 11 he pursued bachelor degrees in science, arts and education at Memorial University and a Master of Education at Bishops University. Boyd is predeceased by his father (George Fred Smith), his mother (Ina Legge-Smith) and mother-in-law (E. Joyce Chipman) of Spaniard’s Bay. Boyd is survived by his beloved wife Verna (Bishop) of 59 years; his daughters Kelly (Chris Wayland), Jennifer (Chris Porter), and his five grandchildren Paul, Matthew, Ted, Avery and Max. He is also survived by his sister Bernice Kearley as well as special nieces and nephews, cousins, and in-laws (too many to name).
While he taught sciences for several years at the junior high and high school levels, he found his calling at the Fisheries College (now the Marine Institute). There he spent a number of years as an instructor before moving into management as the Head of the School of Fisheries. A supporter of lifelong learning, he continued his education mid-life by completing a Diploma in Technology Aquaculture and Fisheries from Malaspina College in Nanaimo, British Columbia. Bringing his new found knowledge back to the province, Boyd was instrumental in developing the Aquaculture program at the Marine Institute and was recognized for this effort with several national and international teaching innovation awards. Upon retirement from the Marine Institute, he was the inaugural Director of the Professional Fish Harvesters Certification Board of NL, a position he held until his second retirement in 2000. Along with his wife Verna, he continued to teach bridge several times a week with the City of St. Johns until his third and final retirement in June 2025.
In his spare time, Boyd loved to watch baseball, play softball (up to 2024), complete carpentry projects, spend time at the cabin, and play any and everything with his grandchildren (especially the old-fashioned hockey game). Boyd was an avid bowler and enjoyed all types of outdoor activities including gardening, fishing, canoeing and waterskiing. Patience and gentleness defined Boyd. He was reserved and soft spoken, yet when he had something to say, it warranted close attention. He was intelligent, practical and generous, but never made a show of it. His humour was dry and subtle, the kind of one-liners that caught you off guard and left you smiling long after.
The family would like say thank you to all of the doctors, nurses and staff of the Cancer Clinic, Health Science Centre and Miller Centre for their excellent and compassionate care. A special thanks to all family and friends who have dropped by with meals, flowers and warm wishes over the last few weeks.
At Boyd’s request, cremation will take place. Visitation will be held at Carnell’s Funeral Home, 329 Freshwater Road, on Thursday, September 4 from 2-4 p.m. and 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. The funeral service will take place at The Carnell Memorial Chapel at 2 p.m. on Saturday, September 6.
The family is establishing a scholarship in Boyd’s memory with the Marine Institute. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Boyd S. Smith Memorial Fund at Memorial University through the Office of Development, PO Box 4200 STN C, St. John’s, NL, A1C 5S7, by calling 709-864-2321 (toll free 1-877-700-4081) or online at www.mun.ca/giveonline
All donations made in Boyd’s name will be attributed to the scholarship once established.
So very sorry to hear of Boyds passing. I first knew Boyd as my Biology Instructor at PWC. Then, years later, as the head of the School of Fisheries, Marine Institute where in 1986 I returned as a Food Tech. student. I remember well the day we all gathered in a classroom and we each stood as we were introduced. Yes, he remembered me! We had a great friendship in the years we spent together at M.I. My sincere condolences to Verna and all the family. He was a wonderful inspiration to me and will always be remembered and missed.! Carolyn Dwyer (Hodder)
I am so sorry for your loss. Boyd taught me as one of only 3 women in the very first Aquaculture program in NL back in 1987 and he was a wonderful teacher. We were only 9 students and the program was intense. Boyd was patient, kind and extremely knowledgeable! He was very approachable and an all round great guy. I am so sorry to only be seeing this now. He will be missed. My deepest condolences. Sincerely, Michèle O’Dea Bell
My sincerest condolences Verna. A wonderful man.
Verna, we were very saddened to hear of Boyd’s passing.. We fondly remember your very patient efforts in teaching us bridge. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.. May he rest in peace.
With deepest sympathy,
Ches and Mary Warren
Dear Kelly and Family, please accept my deepest condolences on the passing of your beloved family member. May the fond memories you shared bring you comfort and solace in the days ahead.
Verna and family: I am so sorry to read of Boyd’s passing. Please accept my deepest sympathy.
Sincerely
Linda Janes
Verna- I am so sorry to hear of Boyd’s passing. I really appreciated his kind manner when teaching bridge. You were a great team. I just saw the obituary and would have liked to offer condolences in person. I am thinking of you and your family
Verna and family, very sorry to hear of Boyd’s passing.. You both introduced me to bridge; truly great teachers. Boyd was a real gentleman who will be missed.. May your wonderful memories help you as you deal with your loss.
Marion and Cyril Hayden
My sincere condolences to your family. My parents, Clarissa and Charles Stevenson, often spoke of their bridge games with Boyd and Verna.
Verna,
We were so sorry to learn of Boyd’s passing. We have special memories of time spent together so many years ago. Please accept our sincere condolences.
Bob and Carole Crane
Verna and family:
We are so deeply saddened and sorry to learn of Boyd’s passing. Please accept our deepest condolences. Our thoughts are with you all, as you journey through this difficult time. Hopefully, as with all things, the passing time will lessen the heart ache and ease the pain that you are suffering right now.
We are remembering our times together at Mom and Dad’s cabin on the Hodge Water Line.
Regards Tom and Joan Strickland
Sorry to hear of Boyd’s passing. Our deepest condolences to your family.
The Maher family
Cabin neighbours
Dear Verna and Family.
I am so sorry to learn of Boyd’s passing.. It was only last week I was driving past your house and thought about dropping in on you both. Little did I know! I have wonderful memories of him teaching me bridge. He was so kind and understanding. May your memories help with your healing as you go forward.
God Bless,
Carol
Verna and family – We were saddened to learn of Boyd’s death and are sending you our sincerest sympathy. The picture and words in the obituary are certainly what we remember of Boyd. – memories going all the way back to the Fisheries College in the mid 70’s, We will be thinking of you all as you celebrate his wonderful life and mourn his passing. Henry and Shirley
Verna and Family.
Our sincerest condolences on the passing of Boyd. We met you both during our classes of Bridge at Paul Reynolds., a game you both taught us to love and enjoy.. Boyd’s obituary speaks of a wonderful man and a life well lived. We are thinking of you at this time of great loss.
Gail Dicks and Ted O’Keefe
We were so saddened to hear of the loss of your beloved husband and father. We will always remember his kindness and sense of humour when he walked Paul and Matthew over for playdates when they were little, and it was always such a joy to see him during his visits with Kelly and Chris in Toronto. We know how dearly he will be missed by all of you. Sending love, prayers and deepest condolences to you at this difficult time.
Verna, we are sorry to learn of Boyd’s passing. Boyd was a lovely man. We took bridge lessons from Boyd and from you. We credit you both for our continued enjoyment of Bridge many years later. Our sincere condolences to Verna on the death of a true gentleman.
Very sorry to hear about Boyd’s passing. Condolences to all of his family members. May he Rest in Peace.
Verna, sorry to learn of Boyd’s passing . You both were great neighbours to my mother Mary , next door on Elizabeth ave .
It was very comforting to the family to know that you both were there for her .
Thank you for that.
Verna and family, we are so sorry to hear of Boyd’s passing.. We all enjoyed chatting with him on Saturday afternoons at the cabin, he always had great stories to tell. May your wonderful memories help with your sorrow at this difficult time.
Verna, so sorry to hear of Boyd’s passing. My condolences to all the family.
Verna, so sorry to hear that B0yd had passed away. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. . I will be in touch later. God Bless!!!!!!
Verna, so sorry to read of Boyd’s death. From teaching with him on Parade Street and learning Bridge from you both at the Mew’s centre ,I can truly say he was indeed a gentle man. My condolences.
WE ARE SORRY TO HEAR OF BOYDS PASSING WE ARE THINKING OF YOU AND PLEASE ACCEPT OUR CONDOLENCES
Verna and family,
Thinking of you all at this sad time and sending my sincere condolences. May your precious memorie often bring a smile to your face and with God’s help and the love and support of family and friends may you soon find comfort and peace.
Sincerely, Betty Patey
Sincere sympathy to you and your family. He was a great man. I enjoyed our bridge lessons at the Mews Center. Hold tight to your memories.
Verna and Family
We are sorry to hear of Boyd’s passing. Please accept our condolences. We are thinking of you at this difficult time.
I worked with Boyd at the Marine Institute and later at the PFHCB.
He was a true leader whose calm manner and wisdom enabled people to get the job done.
My condolences to Verna, Jennifer and family.
Rob Wells
Verna and family so sorry to hear of Boyd’s passing my prayers and thoughts are with you and your family at this time .
To Verna and family So sorry to know that Boyd has passed away. Your treasured memories will help you in the days ahead. Sending you my love and understanding as you go through this most difficult time of sorrow. Phyllis Beckett.
So sorry to hear of his passing. He taught me to play bridge at boys and girls club. My sympathies.
Verna, I’m so sad to hear of Boyd’s passing. He was a true gentleman. He was very patient along with you in teaching me to play bridge. I have fond memories of both of you. My condolences to you and your family in your loss.
Verna, Kelly, Jennifer and family,
So saddened to hear of Boyd’s passing. We will always remember his warm smile and quiet demeanour,.
Sorry we cannot be there as we are away., but be assured, that our thoughts are with you at this difficult time.
Jeff and Elizabeth
Verna and family sincere sympathy on the passing of your beloved family member. Find comfort in all the loving memories you shared. .Boyd and his contagious smile will be remembered and missed..
To Jennifer and Family My deepest sympathy for your great loss. Your father certainly sounded like an exceptional man.
Very sad to hear of Boyd’s passing. We were colleagues in the 1980s when Boyd started to lead the aquaculture technology program at the MI and then hired me as the then School Head in the early 1990s.
Condolences to the Jennifer, Verna and the family.
Verna, I’m so sorry to hear of Boyd’s passing. My sincere condolences to you and your family.
Carolyn Bartlett
Verna, I was saddened to hear of Boyd’s passing.
I will always remember Boyd and you teaching us Bridge and we still seek your advice. My condolences to you and your family. I’ll keep you in my prayers.
Sincerely, Rosanne Lake
Verna and family. I was saddened to hear that Boyd has passed. Growing up in Spaniard’s Bay it was hard not to notice Boyd, an excellent softball player, softly spoken and leading by example especially in is pursuit of higher education. As a teacher in St. John’s it was great to see Boyd and Verna support their children’s education. As others have stated in their comments, he was an exceptional person. RIP!
Bruce Sheppard
Ottawa
Verna and Family:
Deepest condolence on the passing of Boyd. I remember him fondly from our school days. May the memories you shared bring you comfort in the days ahead.
One of the finest men to step in shoe leather as both a person and a teacher. The man was so gentle and compassionate and treated students as special – each and every one of them. May God bless you all.
Verna and family: Sorry to read that Boyd has passed away. I have fond memories of our brief time teaching together at PWC and special memories of the years when Kelly and Jennifer were students there. May the memories of your time together as a family bring comfort and peace..
Of all the family, Uncle Boyd stood out the most to me—quiet, calm, intelligent, athletic, a sports lover, a friend to everyone, and always willing to help. Dad and Mom used to say, “Boyd and Verna always dropped in,” and it was easy to see he was a great man in their eyes, just as he was in mine.
He had a quiet strength and a gentle humor that made people feel comfortable around him. Those simple visits and thoughtful gestures showed the warmth and kindness that were at the heart of who he was. Uncle Boyd left a lasting impression on everyone who knew him.
Though he’s no longer with us, his thoughtfulness, steady presence, and quiet strength will stay with us forever. His memory will continue to guide us, a gentle light we’ll always carry in our hearts.
Verna, so sorry to hear of your loss. Boyd was a gentleman and a real family man. May your memories sustain you through this difficult time. Please give our condolences to the girls and their families. God bless you all. Eileen and Jerry Riche.
Verna and Family
Sorry to hear this sad news. May your memories of him bring you comfort in the days ahead.
Tom and Louise Harris
Jennifer, I am so sorry for your loss. As you know, I had the opportunity to meet your Father several times when he visited the office while picking up or dropping off little Harry.
While he was a man of few words during his visits it was evident he was a gentle/kind soul who always had a smile for you. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time.
Verna, Kelly, Jennifer, and families,
Andreas and I are so sorry to hear about Boyd’s passing. I have many happy memories of him over the years, and Andreas’ one time meeting him stands out in his mind as very special. You are in our minds and hearts as you make your way through this difficult time. Sending love and hugs from BC.
Love,
Lori & Andreas
Verna and family of Boyd
Sorry to see that Boyd has made his exit from the stage of his life .
He was my Grade 11 teacher in Harbour Grace in 1964 – we were both very young !
That was his first year as a teacher and all his students respected him.
His obituary describes a life – well lived indeed.
Boyd Smith was truly a gentle man – quiet and unassuming yet very effective.
We had some contact throughout our lives and I know he had an excellent teaching career at the Marine Institute.
I will remember Boyd with fondness and respect
He was a good man – a man for all Seasons .
Sincere condolences to all who mourn his passing
RIP
Godspeed Boyd
Verna and family. I have fond memories of both you and Boyd teaching Bridge lessons at the PRCC. I was saddened to hear of his passing. Thinking of you and sending sympathies and condolences to you.
Bernice, my sincere condolences on the loss of your brother. Treasure the memories you shared.
Blessings
Kathleen, Scott (Kay)
Dear Aunt Verna, Kelly, and Jennifer,
We’re so sorry to hear that Uncle Boyd passed away. Our heartfelt condolences. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Uncle Boyd was such a good man and a steady positive influence on us growing up. I will always remember the fun times we spent together at Grand Pond, especially the times he took me trouting, water-skiiing, or just kicking around the soccer ball. He made the world a better place.
Jerry & Patti Bannister
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Dear Verna and family,
So sad to hear of Boyd’s passing. We always think back to the many bridge nights and social times when he was always fun. We miss those days and both you and Boyd. May he rest in peace.
Peggy and Paul o’Brien
Grand Falls Windsor
Verna we are so sorry to hear of Boyd’s passing. We have lots of good memories playing bridge with both of you. Please accept our condolences. . “Death leaves a void that nobody can heal, but love leaves a memory that no one can steal.”
We are saddened by the news of Boyd’s passing. He was such a nice friend who is generous and considerate. We were so glad to be able to get together just before we moved away from St. John’s . Our deepest condolences to Verna and family.
Our deepest condolences to Verna Jennifer Kelly and families on Boyd’s passing. May the memories you shared comfort you during this very sad time.
Elaine and Dave Peet.
He sounds like a wonderful man, who enriched the lives of those around him and was beloved in return. This is a tremendous loss and I sincerely extend all my best wishes and support to all the family, especially my dear friend Kelly, in this time of grief and pain. May you find solace and comfort in your shared memories and as you move forward. To Kelly, sending you all my love and remember I will always be here for you. Sending big hugs.
Sorry to hear of Boydes passing.
May that peace that comes only from God be with you at this time of mourning.
Kelly, Verna and family – This is a beautiful write-up of a life well-lived. We were so sorry to hear about Boyd’s passing and sincerely hope that your many fond memories of him, his kindness and his involvement in all of your childrens’ lives sustain you at this very difficult time. Thinking of you all with love from Ottawa.
So sorry to hear of the passing of Boyd. He was a fine person and well respected. He was one of the first people I knew and worked with at the Marine Institute.
Verna,Kelly,Jennifer and family, so sorry for your loss. Boyd was a great neighbour on the Hodgewater Line. Always looked forward to seeing him waterski. Please accept our deepest condolences, Paul and Sharon Moores
Verna, and Bernice,
So saddened to hear of Boyd’s passing.
I met Boyd when I took bridge lessons at the Mews Centre.
Had no idea he was Bernice’s Brother.
Rest in peace my friend.