Jack passed away on November 12th after a long illness. His obituary appeared in The Ottawa Citizen on Saturday, November 23rd and is noted below. Jack was born March 1, 1950.
“It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of John Edward (Jack) Smith. Beloved husband of Joyce Van Dieen (Kealey), Jack is predeceased by his father, George Edward Smith; mother, Mavis Grace Smith (Nickerson); and brother-in-law, Joe Falcone.
He is survived by his daughter, Hannah Gorham-Smith, and her mother Harriet Gorham; stepsons, Jason (Brittany Martin) and Kurtis Van Dieen; siblings, Bob (Donna) Smith and Margaret (Tim) Davey; in-laws, Lena Kealey, Judy (Joe) Falcone, and Bryan and Shaun Kealey; his cousin, Greg (Liz) Smith; and his many nieces and nephews. He is also fondly remembered by his close friend Larry (Julia) Rossignol.
A loving husband, father, and friend to many, Jack was born in Halifax. He graduated from Queens University in 1972 and later from Cornell University in 1984. He held a very strong, lifelong attachment to Ithaca NY and to his maritime roots.
Over a remarkable career spanning 50 years, Jack made substantial contributions in energy conservation, housing, and science policy across the federal government, including the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, National Research Council, and Office of the National Science Advisor. Considered the father of technology foresight in Canada, he launched the Federal Foresight Network, was an international advisor with the APEC Center for Technology Foresight in Thailand, and co-founder of the Foresight Synergy Network at the University of Ottawa Telfer School of Management with Jonathon Calof.
Moreover, Jack leaves a local legacy in affordable housing in Ottawa, where he was a driving force behind the creation of the Sandy Hill Housing Co-op, Housing Help, and the redevelopment of Strathcona Heights, a 27-acre community housing neighbourhood in southern Sandy Hill.
Jack was a man of many passions. He threw his heart into travel, gourmet cooking, wine tasting, dancing, canoe camping, ice hockey, swimming, skiing, and politics. He was also known for his extensive and eclectic collections of grotesque lamps, corkscrews, and water pistols, as well as numerous grotto parties where he entertained his many friends. With a nose for fine wines, he was a loyal member of the Group of Seven wine tasting club for 25 years.
Jack possessed a steely will, cloaked in a kind and gentle spirit. With remarkable determination, he persevered through all the ‘bumps and scrapes’ his condition dealt him for over a decade.
His family wishes to thank his fabulous physiotherapist, Angela Benoit; the team at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute; and his many PSWs this past year.
In keeping with his spirit of fun, a celebration of life will be held at the Mill Street Brew Pub, December 14, 2024, from 11:00 am. to 3:00 pm. Feel free to bring your stories, hats, and bowties!
In lieu of flowers, donations in Jack’s memory may be made to the Rossy Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) Centre or the University of Ottawa Heart Institute.”
Published online November 23, 2024
Source: https://ottawacitizen.remembering.ca/obituary/john-smith-1092304905
Jack co-found FSN with Professor Jonathan Calof of the Telfer School of Management at uOttawa and serves as our FSN host at the university. Here are a few words from Jonathan, “Jack was the father of foresight in the Canadian Government. His tireless energy in pushing forward a foresight agenda and creating many networks to help develop new foresight practitioners is legendary. But even more impressive was his incredible devotion to his friends, colleagues and his family. Jack helped many. We will miss Jack. Our lives are emptier without him.”
Foresight Synergy Network (FSN) 
Hi Sameer. Are you the keeper of comments?
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