KEITH C. SMITH 1924-2009 Prolific painter Bob Mackin News Reporter bmackin@nsnews.com KEITH Cornock Smith was devoted to art, even on the final day of his life. Smith, a North Vancouver resident for 15 years, died of cancer at home July 28 in Qualicum Beach. KEITH C. Smith devoted his life to painting scenes of nature. He was diagnosed with the disease on July 4, his 76th birthday. Smith, born in 1924 in . Dauphin, Man., thought of himself asa painter rather than an artist. He captured images of wildlife and scenery in his impressionistic _ paintings, reminiscent of works by the Group of Seven. According to his widow Arlene Smith, he may have produced upwards of 2,000 paintings. “(Il tell you one thing, his Robber jailed for ~ two years _420-year-old North ° Vancouver man was recently jailed for two yeas for robbery, bur- glary, assault and thefts, Joseph David Yacoback pleaded guilty to: robbing a man on April 17, 1999 in North Vancouver - District; 8 break, ‘enter and theft on May 25, 1999 in the 100- block of East St. James Road. ’ » Yacoback was also convict- ed of two thefts and an assault that took place on July 31,1999 in West Vancouver. “According to the North Vancouver RCMP, the bur- glary charge related to theft of about 10 marijuana plants. North Vancouver provin- cial court Judge Carol Baird Ellan prohibited Yacobacl. from possessing guns for 10 “= years in relation to the, reb- “ bery charg After ail, Yacoback was placed on three years’ proba- tion. . He was also required to -: pay .the robbery victim ’ $243.30 restitution. Yacoback’s criminal record was presented in court during - sentencing proceedings on July 25.2... - et Arne ‘Marie D'Angelo " wt mind was clear,” she said. “He was friends with budding artists and keen to help them. On the day of his death, he asked us to phone (one of his proteges) ard get her to bring paintings. Lie critiqued each painting clearly. | was blown away by his dedication, it cer- tainly was his life.” Smith's family moved to B.C. when he was a child and he later served in the Second World War with the Canadian and American navies. After the war he worked in a Port Moody sawmill until he found work as an apprentice sign painter. One of his jobs was to pro- duce a giant depiction of Orson Welles that = was installed on a downtown Vancouver theatre marquee. Smith travelled with his family throcghout western Canada and the United States, stopping frequently to photo- graph, sketch and paint rivers, mountains, trees and animals. In recent years he painted scenes of coastal Indian setde- ments. His work was exhibited at galleries in Whistler, Calgary and Coeur d’ ‘Alene, Idaho. Many of his recent works are on display on the Internet at . Smith occasionally embarked on short boat trips to Jedediah Island near Nanoose Bay where he paint- ed dazzling sunset scenes. He also used his 18-foor boat, the C-Senpe, for fishing. Last year at White Door, a popular location off Qualicum Beach, Smith hooked a salmon. Arlene said he had to spend considerable time out- witting a seal before landing the fish. Keith C. Smith painting FORMER North Shore resident Keith C. Smith's oil on canvas painting Jedediah Island Trees. “We brought the boat closer and the seal got close to the boat,” Arlene said. “But there was no mark on (the fish). It was one of the most exciting times in his fishing career.” Smith requested his ashes be seattered at White Door. Smith is survived by Arlene, his wife of 49 years, sons Michael and Blake and FACTORY FUTON Entrance infearlane Hon daughter Jamie. He had four grandchildren and one great- grandchild. Smith requested a party for friends and family instead of a funeral. The informal celebration of his life and art is tomorrow ar his house in Qualicum’s Eaglecrest neighbourhood. Call (256) 752-2256 for information. SAAB ~~ We build cars around the driver! you"ll sense the difference in what you see, feel and hear. This just about sums up the whole personality of the SAAB 9-3. Down Payment: $3,150 Lease for $499 mo. 1999 SAAB 9°SE f Scarabe green. Auto, leather, sunroof. 4 cyfinder Turbo Ecopower. G63 1999 SAAB 9°SE Sliver. Fiagship "Test drive this car today! 99G90 | 1999 SAAB 9°SE Sdver. Executive driven demo. Every opion Treat yourself to a test drive today. 99G103 ttodel - every option. 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