Longtime harness racing industry participant Harold C. "Clarkie" Smith passed away peacefully and with dignity on March 22, 2025 in the comfort of his home in Oyster Bed Bridge, Prince Edward Island, with the love of his family, at the age of 87.
Clark was born August 6, 1937 to the late Cyril and Marjorie (Clark) Smith of Hunter River, P.E.I. Loving husband to his late wife, Dorothy (Bernard).
Cherished father and father-in-law to Donald (Melanie), Amanda (John) Courage, Ray (Bernadette Johnson), Cynthia (Robert Fowler) Smith, Raeann (Frank) O'Hara, Clark (deceased), and Claire Smith. Also Barney (Brenda) McGuigan and Candas Smith who Dottie and Clark embraced/raised as their own children. Clark is survived by his brother, Neville (Helen) and his sister, Marjorie Anne.
He will be sadly missed by his grandchildren, Easton (Drew) Smith, Whitney (Conner Doucette) Smith, Clark (Rebecca) Courage, Sheri (Scott) Revely, Natasha Smith, Laurlea (Terry) Caissie, Candas (Noel Cheverie) Smith, Colton, Connor and Dorothy O'Hara, Felicia and Holly MacMillan as well as his great-grandchildren, Dixie Smith, Lydia, Thomas, & McKenna Courage, Emily & Evelyn Courage, Jade Smith, Barrett Smith, Skye MacLane, Brooklyn MacLane & Jonah Mayme, Phoenix & Kobe Cheverie, and Quinton Yarde & Orion Facey.
He is also survived by many loving nieces, nephews, former daughters-in-law (Joyce Payne, Terry Smith and Jennifer Thibeau), former son-in-law (Carl MacMillan), cherished friends and Clark's beloved dog, Oreo.
He was predeceased by his late brothers, Elmer (Joan), David (Diane), Grant (Claire-deceased) and Wendell (Betty), his late sister, Eleanor and his grandson, Billy Smith.
Clark will also be greatly missed by the Maritime harness racing Industry where he achieved more than 2,800 career wins, and was the recipient of many accolades and awards. He was a highly respected and knowledgeable horseman and was loved by so many who knew, worked and raced with him.
During his career, Clark was the leading dash winner in the Maritimes, as well as the leading driver at Summerside Raceway, Charlottetown Driving Park and Sackville Downs. Clark has also won the Heckbert Studio trophy as the annual Lobster Carnival’s top driver, and has been honoured at the Summerside carnival with a “Clarkie Smith Day.” He was awarded the British Consol Trophy as the leading driver during Old Home Week in 1958, 1959, 1960, 1963, 1966, 1967 and 1968. At the time of his induction into the PEI Sports Hall of Fame in 1984, only two other horsemen had equaled Clarkie Smith’s domination of the British Consol: Joe O’Brien and Francis McIsaac. In 1969, Clarkie Smith was the fifth leading driver in all North America, with a sensational .409 average, winning 91 dashes in 382 starts.
To honour Clark's wishes there will be no wake or funeral. All are welcome to attend the burial of his ashes at the Hunter River Presbyterian Cemetery, on Sunday, May 25, 2025 at 1 p.m. with an informal gathering to follow at The Central Queens United Church. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Children's Wish Foundation.
The family wish to extend a special thank you to Kenny and Clifford Murphy and family, the Staff at Central Queens Health Centre, Dr. Jocelyn Peterson, Dr. Lori Cheverie, Same Day Treatment at the QEH, the Charlottetown Home Care and to all other medical staff and friends who assisted in Clark's care.
Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of Clarkie Smith.