On Thursday May 26, 2022 Blair Duane Smith, beloved husband, father, uncle, brother and friend, died in Kamloops, British Columbia as a result of an ammonia leak at an industrial work site. He passed from this earth to be welcomed home by Our Lord in Heaven.
Blair was born in Tracy, Minnesota to parents Charlotte and Duane Smith who farmed seven miles southwest of Walnut Grove, Minnesota. Blair was one of seven children, the second oldest born on April 5, 1953. He joins his brothers Steven, David, Jeffrey and sister Belinda in Heaven. He is survived by his wife Tania, children Maria, Gustavo, Francesca (Zachary), Michelle as well as his sister Kathy (Michael) Fiala and brother Guy (Elizabeth) Smith.
Blair was a man of adventure, spirit and the most fervent lover of life itself. He would start every day singing “It’s great to be up at 4, 5, 6 and 7 o’clock in the morning!” and, no matter the weather in Florida, to him it was always “JUST ANOTHER DAY IN PARADISE!”
He so loved his family, his work and his wife that he eloquently thanked God for them every day. The sound of Blair’s voice in prayer was transcendent and is a memory that will live on in the minds of all those who made his acquaintance.
With his boisterous “HELLO!” and that booming laugh, Blair was constantly eager and interested to learn your story and tell you a bit about his own…how he lived in Brazil, New York, Chicago, Kenya, France and ultimately found himself home in Ecuador and later Orlando, Florida.
During his time in Ecuador, he proudly donned the name “Gringo” and implemented unheard of technological advances in the Ecuadorian Shrimp farming industry. To this day he is remembered as a pioneer, a man that paved the way for an International Ecuadorian Shrimp market. He was revered for his diligence, perseverance and determination to set the world on fire and make an impact.
However, Blair would be the first to say that his greatest accomplishment in life was marrying his beautiful wife, Tania. Their bond strengthened through their 36 years of marriage and his love and adoration for Tania never waivered.
No matter where in the world his children were living, Blair was there at a moment’s notice to help them move apartments or assuage their fears and was the reassuring voice telling them that they could do all things through Christ who strengthens them. He was his children’s role model and protector, and he would tell anyone who asked that he was the proudest father in all the world.
Blair shared his table and heart equally, always prepared to greet you with a smile and invite you for dinner to enjoy one of his famous Ribeyes – cooked medium-rare, no exceptions. These dinners would last for hours, culminating in one of his grand stories and a game of Buck Euchre.
He loved the beautifully cultured family that shared his table, from his sister-in-law Ileana, to his mother-in-law Pilar. He often boasted that he was the luckiest man on earth being surrounded by such vibrant Latin women. He will be dearly missed for all celebrations to come, but the image of his smiling face and strong embrace will carry us through.
His wife, his children, his siblings, his extended family and friends will continue to honor his name and carry him in their hearts until they’re all together again, seated at the right hand of God in our kingdom of Heaven.
Blair’s Funeral Mass was held June 17, 2022 at Annunciation Catholic Church and burial was at Queen of Angels Catholic Cemetery, both are located near Orlando, Florida.