Born in England, Smith came to South Africa while working for a shipping company that operated between London and Bombay. He said he chose the sea life to follow in his father’s footsteps.
“My father was a ship pilot with the Merchant Navy and his job was to expertly steer ships into harbours,” said Smith.
He told the North Eastern Tribune that after falling in love with a South African woman, he proposed and travelled back to Bombay to arrange leave to get married. “I got on a ship headed for Durban, where I hoped Jean [his wife] was eagerly awaiting me,” said Smith.
He said after getting married, the newly weds spent time travelling African countries until he was convinced that he did not want to go back to England.
Smith also worked as a surveyor at a government mine.
Spokesperson for the retirement home, Cathy Grosvenor said Smith was renowned for his excellence in contract bridge board game, as a player and teacher. She said, “He first started visiting Elphin Lodge where he lived, before coming to the care centre, as a bridge teacher. Impressed with the village, in 1994 he decided to relocate and move in here.”
The couple has two daughters and two sons and have grandchildren.
