His kindness of heart was invariable, he was especially devoted to his home and shunned ostentation. At St. Andrews where he spent every summer, one of his greatest pleasures consisted in the companionship of those friends of his who lived near him, of whom Sir Thomas Shaughnessy was among the number. Taking a great interest in matters pertaining to education, he was one of the founders of the Catholic high school, and a member of the administration of Laval University, and though, well known in life as a conservative in politics, he was appointed by Hon. Lomer Gouin as governor of L’Ecole des Hautes Etudes Commerciales. Besides being a practical manufacturer, Mr. Smith gave special attention to tariff matters, and his contributions to the campaign against unrestricted reciprocity in 1891, when Sir Wilfrid Laurier, Mr. Erastus Wiman and their friends endeavored to establish free trade between Canada and the United States, did more than a little to secure the protectionist victory of that year.
For years Mr. Smith did not actively participate in civic affairs, but in 1890, when a reform wave was sweeping over the commercial metropolis he was asked to come forward as a candidate in one of the civic divisions. He hesitated for some time, but finally consented to contest the west ward if his warm personal friend, the late Mr. Frank Hart, would also seek a seat in the city council. At that time the late Colonel Stevenson was a landmark in civic politics as well as in military and social circles, and so well was the colonel known that there were many who considered that with him as an opponent Mr. Smith had hardly a fighting chance. It was contended that a Roman Catholic could not be elected in such a pronounced Protestant district as the west ward, but the success achieved by Mr. Smith in that contest proved that the reform candidate’s reputation was too well established to leave him a victim of the religious cry. He served in the council during 1890 and 1891, on the finance committee, and though assured that he could have a second election by acclamation, he declined both the aldermanic and mayoralty honors that were offered him.
In a quiet and unostentatious manner he was a generous contributor to deserving charities, irrespective of nationality or creed. He was one of the most prominent English-speaking Catholics in Montreal. As a personal friend of Archbishop Bruchesi, Mr. Smith was frequently consulted in the church’s temporal affairs.
Mr. Smith twice married: His first wife was Miss Mary A. McGlynn and his second wife who survives him, was Miss Margaret M. McNally, daughter of the late Bernard McNally. Two sons were the issue of the first marriage, Clarence F. Smith, vice president and general manager of the Ames, Holden, McCready, Limited, and Frederick H. Smith, who lived in the West Indies, until his death in April, 1912. To the second marriage the following children were born: Rose M.; Charles F., who died on August 20, 1911; Marguerite M.; Francis C.; May G.; and Geraldine M.
The Montreal Herald said of Mr. Smith: “There was no better citizen of Montreal than the late Charles F. Smith. He had made his way in the world by dint of rare power of business organization. In addition he was a man who made friends and held them. He had no taste for public life himself, but he had a deep interest in public affairs and in the men who in public life supported his views. It was so in the affairs of the Board of Trade and resulted in his becoming president of that body. It was so in civic affairs and resulted in his being much against his inclination, elected to the council. It was so in Dominion politics, and if he has passed away before his party friends had the opportunity of showing their appreciation, it is certain that the fighting ranks of the conservative party had few more prudent or more generous counsellors.
“Mr. Smith went to the city council with Mr. Laporte, Mr. Ames and the late Mr. Hart at a time when the city had just been aroused to the need of wholesale reforms. He played a part of much importance, for with two or three other trained business men he sat in at the centre of things, on the old finance committee and supervised a general cleaning up of the city hall. It was the good work of those days that made possible the larger reforms of later years.”
The Montreal Gazette said editorially of him: “By the death of Mr. Charles F. Smith another able and successful man has been taken from Montreal’s commercial life. Mr. Smith through years of painstaking energy built up a successful business, from which the city benefited as well as himself.
“In the process he won the respect of all with whom he became associated. Commercial organizations valued his advice. The Board of Trade counted him as a wise counsellor. When the city’s affairs were in need of improvement he served in the council and with his associates did useful work in its behalf. He could have had other public offices had he desired, but his preference was for private life. He has passed away at a ripe age, held in regard alike for the qualities of his mind and of his heart, and leaving a memory that will encourage others to follow his footsteps.”