Rankine Smith

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Rankine M. Smith of Petitcodiac on March 11, 2018. Born in 1929, he was the son of the late Ewart and Lenore (Coulthard) Smith of Woodstock, NB. He is survived by Esther, his loving wife of sixty years; his children, Julie (Randy) Caldwell, Vicki (Patrick) Cormier, Art (Sarah) Smith, and Andrew (Laureen) Smith; grandchildren, Alex, Austin, Rebecca, Curtis, Adam, and Ellery; nieces, Lori (Fleming) Neilson and Sharon (the late Paul) Cote, and other family members. He was predeceased by his sister Vivian (Gerald) Doucet and brother Bradford (Maria) Smith.

Rankine spent 36 years as an innovative and dedicated member of the teaching profession.  He taught in numerous communities throughout the province finishing his career as Principal of the Petitcodiac Regional High School (1966 – 1983). After many years of night classes and summer schools, he received his Bachelor degree from UdeM. He received his Master of Education from Colorado State University in 1973.

Rankine was an avid sports enthusiast and played many sports over the years, but basketball became his true passion. As a young man in Woodstock, NB he played on the 1948 Dominion Championship team, and carried that passion for the sport throughout his life, including authoring the book, "The History of Basketball in New Brunswick".  He dedicated countless hours to the game of basketball as a player, coach and through his association with Basketball New Brunswick. He coached or managed several Provincial Champion Boys and Girls high school teams and was honoured to have been inducted into the Woodstock Sports Hall of Fame.

After his retirement from teaching Rankine became active in municipal affairs, serving for several years as a Village Councillor for Petitcodiac as well as several provincial committees, including serving as President of the NB Villages Association. His interest in municipal government led to his second book, "Equal Opportunity Revisited".

Always generous with his time Rankine was active in many community pursuits, most notably Friends of the Moncton Hospital, the Diabetes and Heart Associations and the Saint James United Church.

His family will receive friends at Armstrongs Funeral Chapel, 33 Russell St. Petitcodiac (756-2361) on Friday, March 16, 2018 from 5 - 8 pm and will celebrate Rankine’s life with a service at the Saint James United Church in Petitcodiac at 11:00 am on Saturday, March 17, 2018 with Rev. Stephen Brown officiating.

The family wishes to express their appreciation to the staff of the Jordan Life Care Center for their loving care of Rankine over the last five years.

If so desired, donations in Rankine’s name can be made to The Alzheimer’s and Dementia Society, Canadian Diabetes Association, The Jordan Life Care Centre, or the charity of their choice.

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