Blair Smyth Obituary

March 3, 2019

Larry Baxter wrote a sympathy message

“at the request of a the former Correctional Officer, Correctional Manager and an incredibly committed Shriner, who dedicated many years of his life and his career to working with Special Needs Offenders and has dedicated many years to philanthropic endeavors with the Rameses Shriners Organization- retired Toronto Jail Captain Blair Smyth, RIP I am writing this to recognize those who worked beside him, before him and after he retired. Those who not only embraced the job of Correctional Officer with all of its responsibilities and potential dangers, but went above and beyond to become “Special Needs Officers and Nurses”, those who were responsible for the care, custody and control of the most vulnerable but potentially most dangerous offenders in custody- the “Special Needs Offenders.” Those who carried out their duties with the utmost professionalism and compassion required to deal with such clients. Those are the above mentioned individuals whose names will forever remain a major part of the infamous Toronto (Don) Jail, long after the walls of the institution have been demolished.”