Mike Smith 1937-2010
December 21st, 2010
It is with great sadness that we have lost our friend Mike Smith. Mike was very well known in the western Canadian whisky community for his friendship, his generosity with his whisky and for his jaw dropping collection of single malts. Whether at home or ensconsed in his hotel room while on the road at a whisky related event you were always welcome for a dram, usually something exoctic that had just recently been released in the United Kingdom and had miraculously surfaced moments later in Western Canada.
His last email to me shortly before he died said it all; “My new Laphroaig”.
He will be missed immensely by his wife Barbara, his puppy Coco and his many friends.
Lawrence Graham
Whisky Intelligence
“My new Laphroaig”
Only rarely do any of us get a chance to meet someone with Mike Smith’s qualities: giving, unabashed wit, humourous and most importantly – a solid friend. Mike’s interest in his passions – and especially collecting it seemed – was virtually unrivaled; yet he was incredibly generous at the same time. As mentioned, his whisky collection in particular was remarkable and yet you never had the feeling that it was cloying: it was simply pure unbridled passion.
He will be sadly missed by the many that were drawn in by the bright spark of his life.
On Christmas day this year, Kelly and I will be taking George (our new addition) to our village pub. We will both (that’s Kelly and I; not George) raise our glasses to Michael. Mike was kind, generous and fun to be with but most of all he will be sorely missed. When George is old enough to understand about life, we will tell him all about Michael and his whiskies and his tours around Scotland with my dad (The tales of those two make me laugh out loud now).
We will miss him dearly and he’ll never be forgotten. We hold fond memories which will stay in our hearts forever.
Steve, Kelly; George
XXx
I was with great saddness that Maggie and I learned of Mike’s passing. He will be missed at the Whisky Festival and the tasting rooms after the festival.
Al and Maggie Giesbrecht
In January we had the opportunity to dine with Mike and Barbara at the close of the Victory Whisky Festival. Mike shared a bottle of 42 year old Convalmore with all the guests in celebration of his and Barbara’s 50th wedding anniversary.
Mike was a generous, friendly person always willing to share a story with fellow enthusiasts. We will miss his cheery companionship.
Andrew & Veronika
Mike was a true lover of whisky and certainly a great friend to many in our club (the West Coast Whisky Society), the industry and beyond. There are so many words to describe this generous, genuine and gentle giant of the whisky collector’s world – and beyond that, I am sure, there are many tales we could all share of Mike’s love of friendship, sharing a wee dram and having a chuckle over the insanity that is our Liquor Distribution Board (or other such frustrations in life). That was how I first came to meet Mike – over some chatter and discussions about the BCLDB and how there had to be a better way. If ever there was a better way, Mike could find it – whether that be via Calgary, or Loch Fyne Liquor stores in Inverary, Scotland – via courier or Canada Post – via Bentley, Rolls or Aston Martin – Mike could always find the way to get from points A to B in style.
In the early days of our club – we held an event in Mike and Barbara’s home – and those who attended still recall the moment when they first set eyes on “the collection”… I recall my first visit to the Black Swan; where I was greeted by Mike as if I was a long lost family member, returning from war, tired and thirsty – in need of a dram. Immediately whisked into the bar area by the front door I was impressed by the 50+ bottles on display. My first words were, of course: “nice collection” – to which Mike chuckled – “Oh, that’s not the collection – this is just the everyday stuff”… He quickly poured me a dram and said – let’s go have a peak at the collection… We did – and I’m glad I had a chance to do so with a drink in hand – ‘cause I needed it! What pride – what assortment – what whisky!!!
Mike and Barbara later hosted Jim Murray as their “house guest” during his “Western Canadia [sic] Tour” in 2005… and while Barbara did her best to “house train” Jim – Mike handled the Peace Talks admirably – limiting the loss of blood and whisky to a minimum.
Mike was a class act, a true gentleman and a dear friend. I will enjoy whisky (and life) all the more for having known him – ’til we meet again Michael.
Cheers, Dave
Dave Mason
President
West Coast Whisky Society
“Celebrating the Water of Life”
I had many enjoyable discussions with Mike and was privileged enough to attend the great event in Barbara and his home a few years ago, what a venue! Mike was a valued member of the WCWS and was a friend to all, he will be missed but not forgotten.
Tim Walger
A true loss in so many ways. When I think of Mike the words that come to me are kind, caring and true gentleman. I do fondly remember the visit to the Black Swan and as I recall, my experience went from being impressed, to in awe to a state of disbelieve. I have never seen such a collection before or since. And for that matter, doubt I ever will. The smile on Mike’s face as he watched people came down the stairs with the various reactions is one I will never forget. I truly enjoyed speaking with Mike at the WCWS events and he will be missed!!
My deepest condolences to Barbara and all that knew Mike.
Bill
We have lost a very kind and generous friend. I was fortunate to have attended a number of whisky events/fetivals with Mike, where he would very kindly take time to draw our attention to certian whiskies that we should not pass on – he was right everytime.
Thank you for sharing with us over a wee dram, your waste knowledge of whiskies and some great travel moments . You shall be missed dear friend.
Cheers,
Arjun
I will truely miss Mike. He always greeted you with a big smile and a hearty handshake like you were a long lost friend. He may not be with us but will never be forgotten. Salut my friend.
Gregg Parsons
How very sad. My condolences. I raise a glass to you you Mike. Thank you for inspiring me to start my collection.
Fulvio Cecere
West Coast Whisky Society
Micheal, a fine man indeed, you will be sorely missed by many and especially me. A man of gentleness kindness and deep understanding. Barbarah our deepest condolences.
A generous chap, I still have the Aston Martin he gave me, and fond memories of a cheerful man with a great sense of fun.
Such a shame.
R
Mike and Barbara were introduced to me at one of my first WCWS tastings and I had the privilege of sitting with them at one such event. I can honestly say that I felt I was sitting with royalty. Mike will be sadly missed at these tastings and my heart felt condolences go out to Barbara and the rest of Mike’s family and friends. A gentleman and a scholor, Mike was.
Mike’s collection goes back further than most of you know. We were at school together in Whitby, Yorkshire, and often used to convene in Mike’s garage where, at the ripe old age of fourteen, he had a collection of minature Scotches in an old vegetable crate made into a very presentable cellar. Most of it was not for drinking, but we used to get the odd ‘snifter’ when mother was out!.
Mike truly was an amazing man. Kind, generous, caring, smart, etc… I could go on forever but for those of you who knew Mike as well, his list of traits are well known. I am fortunate enough to have lived as a neighbour to the Smith’s in Willoughby (Langley) for many years. We started to get to know Barbara and Mike over the years… and upon meeting Michael.. I do believe he helped spur my father (Ken Jaremco) into becoming an avid collector of Single Malts.
A fond memory for me of Mike is when Barbara and Mike were there when my family surprised me with my first vehicle… It was in fact parked in their garage with a big red bow on it…. I will remember that evening forever… but perhaps the best memory I have of Mike… is when he and Barbara DROVE the 10ish hours to Missoula Montana for my University Graduation…. sure enough though… Mike and my father managed to sniff out the best liquor stores in Missoula and snap up all of their best deals….
As a new member of the WCWS (Nov of last year) I must say this… while Mike’s collection is an aspiration and admiration of many… the only thing more amazing than this collection of single malts… was the man himself.
Mike – you were not just a friend… you were family.
I hold my glass high, to celebrate the amazing life you lived.
Kelly
It was with real sadness that I recieved the news that Mike had passed away. The comments above will do more justice than I can write. Suffice to say he was a true friend and a what can only be said of few people these days – a real gentleman. Sweet Drams Mike.
The news of Mike’s passing came as a truly sad shock. I had grown to love Mike’s warmth and looked forward to seeing his smile at each and every West Coast Whisky Society event. Our club has lost its finest member and the Whisky world its greatest ambassador.
My deepest condolences go out to Barbara – it was a true honor getting to know Mike.