The town of Kingsville Ontario has been one of my favourite towns to visit for years. I have spent many summers as a kid in this amazing little town.
The years have flown by. I still enjoyed visiting this town. I would usually end up my week of sales in this town on Lake Erie's north shore. Then on one sales trip this fellow caught my eye. That was over ten years ago. Then everytime since then I seem to notice him sitting either in front of the Bank of Montreal, or down the street a little further in front of the drug store. He was always dressed the same way -shoes off, shirt off and suspenders. Then on this particular day I saw the humour of it all. Sitting in front of the bank's 24 hour teller sign with the arrow pointed at him . I laughed my ass off as I set up and snapped this photo. I then called him, NO SHOES CHARLIE.
This photo was taken some time between 2003 and 2004. Then last fall I was back that way. I drove through Kingsville. It still felt like home. I looked for him, no luck. I learned from one of the locals, that this fellow had since passed away. I stopped for a moment at a loss for words.
I never did get to find out what his name was, or what he did for a living or if he was retired. I was never in a situation where I could stop and actually spend the time to say hello. I was always in a hurray to get to the next appointment. Locked up in my own little world he became a 'drive by' familar stranger. Just someone I grew to expect to see whenever I drove through town. This familar stranger's passing saddened me.
14 comments:
he was known as "Smiley" around Kingsville, i believe his name was Greg. He often talked about God. He often walked to Leamington and back(about 20 min. in a car) , never accepting a ride when offered. the story about town was that he lost his wife and kids in a car accident and wouldnt step foot into a car since. he was always laughing and chatting to himself...sumtimes he would include you in his conversation, wondering if you knew God or asking some women if they would marry him. he always seemed happy even tho he was a loner for the most part. it was a sad day about Kingsville when "Smiley" passed away a few years back.
i forgot about him till i seen this pic. thanx for the memory.
I grew up in Kingsville seeing him walk all over town and sometimes in Leamington. Despite the sad story about his family, we all referred to him as "smiley" because he would always smile when you crossed paths with him. I had moved away from Kingsville upon a return trip took a photo of him from a distance but your photo is so much better. Despite all the misery, hopefully he's still smiling in a better place - not that Kingsville was all that bad to be smiling in back in the 70's and 80's and 90's. Thanks for sharing the photo. My photo is online at http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=524794760727&set=o.261324955737&type=1&theater
Smiley was an amazing soul. I dont think he even knew the smile he brought to others. He was so ❤ loving. I am happy he is finally back with the loves of his life. Sad that we no longer have this gentle giant in Kingsville.
This man was a awsum worker I worked with him at Freedlands in 1975 fellow workers were amazed that one day in pouring rain he accepted a ride with me despite his past. Only that one time thou he'd always say no thank you norm but I'll just walk and talk with God.
He was always around walking town, smiling. Very friendly and always seemed focused on the positive every day. Would always stop to talk if you could spare the minutes.
He was always around walking town, smiling. Very friendly and always seemed focused on the positive every day. Would always stop to talk if you could spare the minutes.
Smiley was amazing. I think it was the old sub shop that I seen him in when I was very little and I climbed right up onto his lap. My mom was mad at me for that. Haha Seeing this has brought back good memories of him.
My parents owned the Dutch kitchen back early 70's and he came in every for flapjacks and gravy and a black coffee. I remember him so well
Smiley wow i had forgotten about him was a very pleasant man and never forgot to say hello in passing
That's Smiley 😁oh how I miss that man
I have no idea what his real name really is but rumor was that his name was Greg and he lost his whole family in a car accident. He lived in the apartments above'the Rack' or beside it I cant remember
He used to walk everywhere.
I lived down by the park as a child and whenever we saw him all the kids I was playing with would run up and get a hug or just chat.
I remember my dad being concerned at first but for some reason because my dog liked him my dad talked to him and afterwards never had a problem with us running up to him. I remember one time a few of us even went up to his apartment for cookies.
I remember my dad telling me that he saw him once on the side of the 401 when he was headed back from Toronto and he pulled over and offered him a ride and he didn't take it. I always wondered what happened to him
I found out a few years ago that he passed. Even though I never really knew him I cried when i found out he passed. We need more people like him in this world
RIP Smiley I hope you knew the joy you brought to so many
A kind soul I remember growing up in Kingsville Ontario, that everyone knew simply as Smiley. He'd walk by our place on Park St on his way down to the fishermen's dock and say hi with a smile. Use to call my sister Princess. You'd never find him in a car unless absolutely necessary. Story was that he lost his wife and child in a car accident. So he walked, seen always talking amongst himself, to his lost family and God. He'd be found frequently at local coffee shops like the old Donut Delite, Jim's Sub Shop, and The original Dutch Kitchen to name a few. But most times He'd find a park bench by the Bank Of Montreal or in front of the old Shopper's Drug Mart and just watch the town go by. He was a gentle soul, and a valued memory of our town's past.
I used to work at Donut Delite. Smiley was one of my favorite regular customers. I was sad to find out that he had passed away. He was such a sweet man!
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