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Charles Haddon Smith
September 3, 1926 - March 12, 2020
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<div itemprop="description">Peacefully in Ottawa on March 12, 2020, at the age of 93. Beloved husband of Mary G. Smith (Saint) for 68 years, who passed away in 2017. Loving father of C. Douglas (Katrin), Richard D. (Mary), A. Michael, and Timothy M. (Jeannie). Cherished grandfather of Erik, Krystina, Jennifer, Christopher, Owen and Alexandra. Proud great grandfather of Evan, Avery, Griffin, Leona, Sadie, Sutton and Grace.<br><br>Charles was born in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, son of Albion Benson and Dora Pauline (McGill) Smith. His initial studies were at Dalhousie University where he received his Bachelor of Science and Diploma in Engineering (1946) and then a Master of Science in Geology (1948). After working for a mining company in Peru, Charles moved to New Haven where he obtained a Master of Science (1951) and a Doctor of Philosophy in Economic Geology (1952) from Yale University.<br><br>One of Canada’s “Rock Stars”, Charles had a distinguished career in the federal government. He joined the Geological Survey of Canada in 1952, rising to the position of Senior Assistant Deputy Minister at Energy, Mines and Resources in 1975. Charles was a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada and a member of the Canadian Academy of Engineering, the Mineralogical Society of America, the Society of Economic Geologists and the Canadian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy. Following his retirement in 1981, Charles served as Executive Director for the Canada National Committee of the World Energy Conference and the Coordinator of the 150th anniversary of the Geological Survey of Canada, among other things. <br><br>The family would like to thank Dr. Laura Visentin and the wonderful staff at the Ravines Retirement Residence for their compassionate and professional care, and Rev. Georgina Fitzgerald, Rideau Park United Church, for her ongoing support.<br><br>Given current concerns regarding the pandemic and travel, we have elected to hold a service limited to direct family. A Celebration of Life will be arranged in the not too distant future. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Ottawa Rotary Club Children’s Foundation would be appreciated (https://www.rotaryottawa.com/SitePage/children-s-foundation). Online condolences may be made at www.colefuneralservices.com <br><br></div>