Leslie Jack Smith of Robert’s Creek passed away on August 17th, 2025, at home surrounded by his loving family.
Born April 15th, 1939, in Calgary, Alberta, he was the son of Walter and Muriel Smith. His family moved to Vancouver in 1941 when Jack was 2 years old, and he graduated from Gladstone Secondary School in 1957. He had three children by his first marriage: Carla, Stephen, and Jason.
Jack had a distinguished career that began as a Chartered Accountant in 1963. In 1965, he joined Westcoast Transmission Co. as part of their accounting group. Well-liked and respected, he rapidly rose through the ranks, taking on several positions in the senior leadership during his tenure. In 1981, he joined BC Resources Investment Corporation (later The Westar Group Ltd.), eventually taking over the role of CEO in 1986. Kind and unassuming, “Smitty” developed many great and long-lasting friendships with his co-workers and colleagues.
Jack married Anita Sitter (née Nelligan) in 1983, welcoming into his life his three stepchildren: Chris, Nicole, and Jonathan. Jack was a loving and dedicated husband to his cherished Anita for 43 happy years. Together they moved full-time to the Sunshine Coast in 1996. The years of water sports at their waterfront home with his children, grandchildren, and nieces and nephews were the greatest of his life.
Jack is survived by his wife Anita, his children and stepchildren and their spouses: Stephen and Coreena Smith, Jason and Allison Smith, Chris and Leona Sitter, Nicole and Jeff Jantzi, and Jonathan Sitter; his grandchildren: Maclen, Zachary, Kaitlyn, Kirsten, Aiden, Josh, Liam, Annabel, Atticus, Wil, Brady, and Zoey; his great-grandchildren: Violet and Zoey; his sister Kelly Gant, and his nieces and nephews: Tracey, Danielle, Ryan, Chelsea, and Brayden, and their families.
He was predeceased by his brother Jerry and his beloved daughter Carla.
A private memorial will be held at a later date.
