Paul Smithson was inducted posthumously as an athlete and organizer. As a curler, Smithson skipped teams to a provincial Colts title in 1982, and a provincial Governor General’s title in 1987. He also skipped rinks to the provincial finals in 1987 (Intermediate) and 1994 (Seniors).
In all, Smithson’s rinks accumulated 15 zone championships at various levels, including Colts (1979, 1982), Intermediates (1987, 1989, 1994), Tankard (1985), Governor General’s (1986, 1987, 1995), Seniors (1994, 1995, 1997, 1998, 2000) and Senior Mixed (1996).
Smithson started curling in high school, and competed for 37 years, earning the Simcoe Club Championship three times, and the Simcoe Golden Garden main event twice. He also notched a number of victories at out-of-town events, including a cash spiel in Listowel which featured some of the southwestern Ontario’s best curlers. In that particular event, Smithson’s team lost their first two games before winning four straight to earn the title.
One fellow curler recalls Smithson as “very competitive” but added that his competitiveness never detracted from his sense of fair play. Smithson is also remembered for his never-give-up attitude, demonstrated in the 1982 zone playdowns when his team came back from a 14-7 deficit in one game to win 16-14.
Simcoe Curling Club past president Ted Newton noted that Paul had “probably participated in more club events than any other member of the Club,” and referred to Paul as “a great ambassador for the sport.” Besides being a standout curler, Smithson helped with “Learn to Curl” programs, and was described as a tireless worker running bonspiels, promoting the game, and introducing new people to curling.
Curling wasn’t Smithson’s only talent. As a high school student, Smithson excelled in football and track and field, particularly pole vault. His passion for track and field carried over when he became a teacher. Smithson organized youth track and field and cross country events for elementary school students for 29 years.