The Allan Percival Smith Memorial Bursary Fund

Allan Percival Smith was the beloved husband and best friend of Clare Smith. She and her family wish to honour his memory by establishing a permanent endowment fund in order to provide one or more bursaries to be awarded annually to graduates from Rothesay High School who are pursuing post-secondary education in the field of engineering.

Allan grew up on the Clark Road in the town of Fairvale/Rothesay where he formed many lifelong and lasting friendships. He attended NBCC and began his Civil Engineering Career as a Technologist in 1974. He joined the City of Saint John Municipal Operations in 1989 and worked there until retirement.

Allan was an avid bridge player, chess player and long time curler at Thistle Saint Andrews Curling Club, where he was on the board of directors.

He had a great love for his family, music , his Island cottage and his dog!

Allan was very active in his Church community where he served as a Warden at Trinity Anglican Church and was a part of a small group who had a major leadership role in the renovation of the Trinity Church School House Hall. He was proud and honoured to help create and participate in the Parish Nursing Outreach Program at Trinity. In later years, he returned to his beloved Parish of St. Paul’s in Rothesay to participate in Parish life.

Al was a man who loved to learn and valued the importance of knowledge. This bursary honours his memory and his commitment to helping provide local youth with the opportunity for advanced learning and a brighter future.

 

Remembering Allan Smith

We are fortunate when special people enter our lives. Whether by way of personal friendship or working relationship, occasionally both, a genuine and able individual comes along who adds to and enhances the quality of our experience. It has been my good fortune to know and work with several such people, notable among them Allan Smith.

I knew Al best though his work – designing engineering solutions and managing a range of projects for the City of Saint John. A consummate professional, he was versatile, worked well with people, brought ideas to the table and always added value. Two special responsibilities he took on come immediately to mind. One involved consolidation of our Engineering and Administration branches (from 10,000 sq. ft. in City Hall) into an already occupied Operations building on Rothesay Avenue. Allan redesigned the entire workspace, provided public access and a comfortable environment for all staff, and organized our relocation.

His work saved taxpayers tens of thousands in annual rents, while enhancing our inner workings. A number of years later, on short notice, he was asked to take on overall planning and coordination of our multi-year, multi-million-dollar Capital Construction Program. He had to quickly learn new systems and the processes involved and form direct working relationships with a wide range of Engineering, Public Works and Water Utility staff. He did so seamlessly – “without a hitch” – enabling us to effectively deliver these important services.

My enduring memory of Allan is one of a man of integrity, calm and talented; respected and well-liked by his colleagues. I will forever treasure the last conversation we had!

Paul Groody, P.Eng. (Retired)

… former Commissioner of Municipal Operations; Engineering, and Chief Engineer, City of Saint John