Ontario Football Officials remember one of their own
February 26, 2014
Gord Smith, one of the most respected amateur football officials in Ontario and Canada passed away at his home in Belleville, Ontario on Thursday, February 20th after a battle with cancer. He passed five days after his 73rd birthday. Gord is survived by his wife Penny, children Stephanie (Ken) Manderville and Jennifer and grandchildren Jaclyn and Ellen.
Gord got his start in football officiating in 1967 after being inspired by a former teacher, coach and football official. He was immediately recognized for his officiating prowess and was taken on the university panel where he officiated on field until 2006. Smith officiated in the former Ontario-Quebec University Association and ended his on-field career as a member of the OUA Football Officials Association. During his officiating career, Gord officiated numerous Yates Cups, national semifinals and six Vanier Cups. His last game was the 2006 Vanier Cup in Saskatoon where he was the Referee.
After coming off the field, Gord entered the press box and became a game day supervisor and evaluator of football officials for the OUA, primarily at Queen’s home games. His calm approach and mentoring demeanour will long be remembered by members of the OUA officiating staff and many other football officials across the Province of Ontario.
Gord was a 30 year appointee to Football Canada’s Rules Committee as the Ontario high school representative. He was recognized by OFSAA in 1996 with the Pete Beach Award for his contribution and dedication in working with high school student-athletes. In 2001, Gord was inducted into the Belleville Sports Hall of Fame and in 2005 he was recognized for his contribution to football officiating in Ontario by receiving the Ken Green Award.
During a career in education that spanned four decades, Gord coached various Belleville area basketball and football teams to at least 20 championships, and officiated high school basketball for 41 years.
All members of the OUA Football Officials Association will be sporting a #20 pin on their uniforms this upcoming season in recognition of Gord’s outstanding contribution to football officiating in the OUA.
Visitation and funeral arrangements can be found here
Gord got his start in football officiating in 1967 after being inspired by a former teacher, coach and football official. He was immediately recognized for his officiating prowess and was taken on the university panel where he officiated on field until 2006. Smith officiated in the former Ontario-Quebec University Association and ended his on-field career as a member of the OUA Football Officials Association. During his officiating career, Gord officiated numerous Yates Cups, national semifinals and six Vanier Cups. His last game was the 2006 Vanier Cup in Saskatoon where he was the Referee.
After coming off the field, Gord entered the press box and became a game day supervisor and evaluator of football officials for the OUA, primarily at Queen’s home games. His calm approach and mentoring demeanour will long be remembered by members of the OUA officiating staff and many other football officials across the Province of Ontario.
Gord was a 30 year appointee to Football Canada’s Rules Committee as the Ontario high school representative. He was recognized by OFSAA in 1996 with the Pete Beach Award for his contribution and dedication in working with high school student-athletes. In 2001, Gord was inducted into the Belleville Sports Hall of Fame and in 2005 he was recognized for his contribution to football officiating in Ontario by receiving the Ken Green Award.
During a career in education that spanned four decades, Gord coached various Belleville area basketball and football teams to at least 20 championships, and officiated high school basketball for 41 years.
All members of the OUA Football Officials Association will be sporting a #20 pin on their uniforms this upcoming season in recognition of Gord’s outstanding contribution to football officiating in the OUA.
Visitation and funeral arrangements can be found here