James Smith (9 Apr 1939 - 10 Feb 2022)

In loving memory of James Smith who sadly passed away on 10th February 2022
CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF
Mr James Smith
9th April 1939 – 10th February 2022

22nd February 2022
At 3.00pm
At Daldowie Crematorium
Celebrant: Mark Bishop

Entrance Music
Dorothy Moore – Misty Blue
WELCOME & OPENING WORDS
The family are as one today. They want today to be a true Celebration of Jimmy’s life, and so as you remember him, shed a tear, have a smile, even laugh a little at some of the memories and happy times you’ve shared.

Anne, Lesley and the boys, describe their dad ‘As a dedicated family man who gave with a good heart all his life’. Kind, generous, loving, funny, caring, inspirational and brave as any person can be and these are only a few words that describe a man who adored his family and a family that adored him.

We know today is a desperately sad for all of you. But the family also know that Jimmy was an incredibly special man. A man who loved a laugh, A man of great, practical intelligence, that could turn his hand to anything, A man of high morals and decency……………………………..And…….
And so they will honour Jimmy, the way he would have wanted, with a smile, with love, thanks and appreciation for the man he was.

Good afternoon and Welcome to Daldowie Crematorium. My name is Mark Bishop and I’m an Independent Celebrant, given the great honour and privilege, of leading you through our ceremony where we pay tribute and bid a final farewell to the wonderful James Smith, fondly known as Jimmy.

I was so lucky to spend a few hours with the family, And through their own deep personal sadness, they were able to chat, smile, laugh a little and recall wonderful memories and happy times with their beloved Dad.

Jimmy was a much loved husband to the late Betty, Loving Dad to Jim, Anne, Kenny and Lesley, Brother to Nan and Carol and eight other siblings who have sadly passed, Adored Papa to Craig, James, Andrew, Jamie, Ross, Lucy and Cameron, Great Papa to James, Calvin, Reeva, Reyna, Lilly and Rylie And friend to everyone he met.

I would now like to invite Lucy to come forward and read a Poem for her much loved Papa:

He Only Takes the Best
God saw he was getting tired,
And a cure was not to be,
So he put his arms around him,
And whispered "Come with me",
With tearful eyes we watched him suffer,
And saw him fade away,
Although we love him dearly,
We could not make him stay,
A golden heart stopped beating,
Hard working hands to rest,
God broke our hearts to prove to us,
He only takes the best,
Although his heart stopped beating,
His love will always remain,
His absence puts upon our hearts,
A very heavy strain,
For now he is in a place of everlasting rest,
We just have to understand that God,
He only takes the best

Thank You Lucy…………………

TRIBUTE
Jimmy was born in Kirkintilloch on the 9th April 1939 to parents Patrick and Alice Smith and raised with his ten brothers and sisters. The family are very pleased that Jimmy’s sister Nan is able to join them here today. As a young boy he would go out and seek work and then hand his wage to his Mum which would help with the house-keeping. Sadly his mum passed away during childbirth and this must have been devastating for the family. Living with 10 other siblings cannot have been the easiest and we know Nan must have some stories about them all growing up back then.

When Jimmy was old enough, he and Billy Connor decided to join the Merchant Navy and see a bit of the world. This might have been his long term career had he not met the love of his life, his beautiful Betty who he was desperate to get back and see every time he went away.
Jimmy had met Betty on a night out at the dancing at the Stute Club in Kirky and love clearly blossomed between them with Jimmy eventually leaving the Navy to be with his Betty.

On the 25th June 1960, Jimmy and Betty married at Springfield Church in Bishopbriggs and the couple remained together for over 56 years having four children. Jim was born in 1961, Anne in 62, Kenny in 64 and Lesley in 1970.

Jimmy and Betty set up home at Westerlumnock Cottages owned by the local farmer, who as a substitute for paying rent, asked Jimmy to tend to 200 pigs each day, And If that wasn’t bad enough, Jimmy had a long commute to his Full Time Job, working as a labourer from early morning until late and then home to muck out 200 pigs!!!

Jimmy always took his family away on holidays on the Glasgow Fair Friday. The family would head off on their adventures to places like Saltcoats, Banff, Looe in Cornwall and then Lanzarote. And Jimmy’s wee tradition on a Campsite or in fact, wherever he visited….., Get everyone up and in the pool at Midnight for the famous Midnight swim.

He loved his holidays with the family to Lanzarote and latterly going away with Anne and her best pal Gail. Jimmy had his routines, he would tan in the shade…maybe not his legs and would he set his watch by Happy Hour at the Calypso Club. So get a move on Gail….Yer goin!!

The children had their chores and with their chores came nicknames they made up for each other…Jim was called Daniel, Anne was called Nancy, Kenny was called Ashy and Lesley was known as ‘The Wean’ and Bunion due to her once having a bunion…We are thankful none of them had piles!!
Children doing chores around the house!!..From emptying the coal fire, to cleaning, and doing the dishes, this was a family in the true sense of the word, and Jimmy and Betty could not have done a better job with their children.

The family fondly remember the Hogmanay parties at Westerhill Road and then followed by a trip to their Nans on New Years Day. There was however one rule ..You had to be 16 to go to those parties! Jimmy had a close and loving family who enjoyed being in each other’s company.

Jimmy had qualified as a joiner working long hours and Betty was also working to provide for the family whilst raising the four kids. The children were raised with manners and respect, to be clean and presentable, They were educated in life and the importance of what family means and they were taught all this with gentle words and unconditional love from Jimmy and Betty, And we know how grateful Jim, Anne, Kenny and Lesley are to their Mum and Dad for everything they taught them.

Jimmy had high moral standards and that never changed as the children got older. They had to be in at a certain time and they were taught to respect the family home. This might not have always been the case if someone else was involved..Eh Kenny!!!

When Betty had a heart attack and ended up in hospital some years ago, Jimmy was there loving and caring for the children and we know he loved making them scrambled egg, chips and beans…..Every day, day after day, after day!!!

Jimmy never had much spare time for himself, but he could often be found at 1 O’clock on a Sunday, relaxing over a wee a pint at the Eagle Lodge or the Avenue with his very good friend Mark Riley and the two would putting the world to rights.
Jimmy had always worked and especially enjoyed working over the years with his mate, Big Allan Reid and with Eddie Daley, John Dorans, Cosmo and Robert Henderson.

Jimmy was still working until he was in his 80’s and If he wasn’t doing the odd shift with John Campbell, he was helping his family with their bathrooms, From doors to kitchens and extensions, Jimmy always was there to help his family, And if he wasn’t doing those things, he was keeping his beautiful garden immaculate, much like the cleanliness in his home. Jimmy’s home was immaculate and hell-mend any of you who make a mess. So you lot, get it bloody cleaned and tidied quick style!

Jimmy had lost his middle finger when he was younger although this never stopped Jimmy. He could still get his message across to them all or Jim if he was moaning about our stunning Scottish nation and so to you Jim and all who talk one lot of rubbish (stub finger gesture!!!)
Jimmy and Betty enjoyed many holidays away together and had visited California to see his sisters some years back. Jimmy being a man who enjoyed the odd Cowboy movie, realised he was close to the home of Clint Eastwood in Carmel. Jimmy, knowing that Clint Eastwood owns a bar there, decides to take a wee stroll in. Jimmy walks into the bar, goes up to the barman and as cool as you like asks, ‘Is Clint in’, The Barmen replies, ‘No, he’s not in today’, to which the bold Jimmy replies, ‘Tell him Jimmy Smith was asking for him’! Aye right then Jimmy!

Sadly in 2016, Betty passed away and Jimmy never quite got over losing her. There wasn’t a single day that Jimmy didn’t sit in the bedroom and speak to Betty and this gave him the greatest of comfort.

What gave Jimmy the most happiness and contentment? His Family. Knowing all his Children, Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren were safe, well and united as Family!
When Jimmy became unwell in hospital and was eventually transferred to the Marie Curie in Springburn, the family were by his side 24hrs a day as had always been there for their Dad, whether he was in hospital or not. For Jimmy to have had all his family there to say goodbye, for the family to overcome their personal devastation and be there for Jimmy, would have given him the greatest of comfort, He or any of us could ever ask for and he is so proud of you.

MOMENT OF REFLECTION
Listening about Jimmy and the way he led his life has touched our hearts. There are a million more things to say, memories to share and others to mention, But that is why your memories become so important, why you have each other.

Recognising the life he lived, the life you shared, a life that touched yours and other lives. It’s about those special connections you had, the funny stories you remember and those special moments you shared together. It’s remembering to smile, even when it’s hard to smile and it’s enjoying life the best you can.

Before we say our final farewell, I would ask you all to look at the screens, to look at Jimmy, And smile the way he would want you all to smile.
Moment of Reflection Music & Slide Show
Frank Sinatra – My Way

COMMITTAL & MUSIC:
PLAY CARPENTERS
IT’S ONLY JUST BEGUN
Family and Friends, The time has come to say our final farewell to Jimmy and so if you are able, please stand.

Jimmy, your life we honour. Your departure we accept. Your memory we cherish. And although there is so much sadness today as we say goodbye, there is deep gratitude for your life.

Your Family and Friends are truly grateful for the privilege of having shared life with you. But rest now at the end of your days Jimmy. Rest in the hearts and minds of all those who love you.
May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sunshine warm upon your face;
The rains fall soft upon your fields and Until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.
(Curtains will close around this point)
And so with love we shall leave you in peace. And with the
deepest love & respect Jimmy, we shall bid you a fond farewell.
POEM
Memories in the Heart

Feel no guilt in laughter,
Jimmy knows how much you care.
Feel no sorrow in a smile,
That he’s not here to share.

You cannot grieve Forever,
He would not want you to.
He’d hope that you can carry on,
The way you always do.

So talk about the good times
And the ways you showed you cared.
The days you spent together,
All the happiness you shared.
Let memories surround you,
A word someone may say,
Will suddenly recapture,
A time, An hour, A day,
That brings Jimmy back
As clearly, As though he were still here
And fills you with the feelings,
That he is always near.
For if you keep these moments,
You will never be apart
And Jimmy will live forever,
Locked safe, Within your heart.

THANK YOU’S
Family & Friends, before we close, the family would like to extend a heartfelt ‘Thank You’ to everyone who has attended today, as well as to everyone else, who has shown their love, kindness and support through cards, flowers and messages.

The family would also like to thank Gail and all the staff at Anderson MaGuire Funeral Directors for their professional support & guidance and all the staff here at Daldowie Crematorium.

A personal Thank you to Ann and Lesley for all the time and help you have given in preparing the service for your wonderful Dad. What you as a family did for Jimmy was incredible. Your Dad taught you all well and you have repaid his teachings with the love and care he gave to you and we know your Dad could not be any prouder of each and every one of you.

After today’s Service, the family warmly invite you all back to the Eagle Lodge in Bishopbriggs where you can continue to share your fond memories of Jimmy.

CLOSING Words
To all the family. All of us here today, wish we had even a few words that could make a difference to the sadness you must feel And may you all find peace and comfort in the memories you shared with Jimmy.

Family and friends, that now concludes our Service.

Thank you all
Exit Music
Gladys Knight – Midnight Train To Georgia