The news spread around the Quinte region on Thursday sending people into disbelief.
Belleville resident and local philanthropist Peter Smith suddenly passed away in his sleep at the age of 57.
Smith, the owner of Peter Smith Chevrolet Cadillac, was a name recognized by all as a huge community supporter, whether it be in sports, community groups or other endeavours.
Smith was also a regular on 800 CJBQ’s Lorne Brooker Show as a guest of the roundtable.
He was involved with the Belleville Rotary Club, supporter of Belleville Minor Hockey, Belleville Bearcats, Belleville Bulls, the Canadian Cancer Society, the United Way of Quinte, the YMCA, Hospice Quinte, and the Trenton and Belleville Memorial Hospital Foundations.
Smith was also the former chairman of the board of directors of the Children’s Foundation and was the recipient of the 2014 Guardian Angel award.
Belleville Mayor Mitch Panciuk told the Intelligencer it was a sad day for the city.
Smith is survived by his wife, Vicki, children, Darcy (Dan Duguay), Carly (Mathieu Belanger) and Matthew, his mother, Margaret, brothers Andy, Tim, Jeff and their families.
Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.
