Gord Smith 1935 - 2010
Gord Smith 1935 - 2010
Drum Major Extraordinaire
A personal friend and friend of the writer’s family, Gord Smith passed away recently.
Gordie was born at Prince Albert, Ontario (near Port Perry) on August the 7th, 1935, and moved at a very young age to Toronto.
In his youth Gord was a member of the Orange Young Britons and developed a desire to lead a band on parade as Drum Major and to perfect his use of the mace. He spent hundreds of hours working on his “moves” in the back-yard of the family home on Logan Avenue and brought his show into the kitchen during the winter months.
Gord appeared in Toronto Orange Parades from the late 1940’s to the mid 1970’s and lead various units including; Queen City, Diamond Jubilee and Pride of Victoria Flute Bands, Central Fife and Drum Band and the Derry Trumpet Band.
Other notable Drum Majors of his era were; Norm Taylor, Jackie Reid, Ronnie Stinson, Russell Thompson and Johnnie Kyle, all had their own particular style with the “stick”. The writer personally knew all these individuals save for Taylor. One amazing ability that Gord possessed was that he could work two full sized maces simultaneously, one in either hand.
As well as being an O.Y.B. member in his youth, Gord was for a time a member of Toronto’s L.O.L.875.
Gordie Smith passed away on April the 10th, 2010 and is survived by his wife Margaret and eight daughters.
Submitted by John Wells – County Secretary – May 21st, 2010
Source: Personal knowledge of the subject and collaboration with the family. A special thank goes out to Margaret for the photos.
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