OBITUARY: Mitchell Smyth

 

 

Mitchell Smyth

July 16th, 1936 - July 31st, 2024

Mitchell Smyth, a dedicated lifelong newspaper reporter and dedicated news man, passed away peacefully at home on July 31st, 2024, at the age of 88. Born on July 16th, 1936, Mitchell's career in journalism spanned several decades, during which he became a respected voice in the field of travel. Since his arrival in Canada from Ballycastle, Northern Ireland, he reported for the Hamilton Spectator and retired at the Toronto Star as their Travel Editor. Mitchell was known for his integrity and dedication to his craft.

Outside of his professional life, Mitchell had a cherished hobby of collecting hats from all over the world, a testament to his vibrant personality and unique interests. His collection was a reflection of how many countries he had visited but also into his sense of humour.

Mitchell is survived by his loving wife, Vilma Smyth; his sons, Niall and Norman Smyth; his grandsons Owen, Kieran and Milo Smyth; his daughter in law Carmelina and his cherished sisters, Helen and Ann. He will be deeply missed by his family, friends and all who knew him. Nobody could spin a yarn like Mitch, so please remember him that way, telling an outrageous but TRUE story.

As per his wishes, there will be no formal memorial service celebrating Mitchell's life and legacy. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Sunnybrook Hospital in Mitchell's honour.

Comments

[John Caruth]

Mitchell was an honoured and enthusiastic contributor to the copyboys blog and it was my pleasure to enjoy his commentary and occasional criticism about things around us in the world ....another voice that will be missed but here and in Canada is remembered.... signed the Blogmaster.

[John Caruth]

We contacted The Chronicle where Mitchell worked in the earliest days of his life in journalism here in Northern Irelad and happily their editor Rebekah Lockhart was able to email me a copy of the obiturary/tribute the Coleraine newspaper published.

A Memory of Mitchell

IN the course of some 40
years working in
newspapers, it was my
privilege to get to know
many fine journalists.
One or two I would
describe as outstanding.
Mitchell Smyth belonged to
that rare breed.

He was a natural journalist
of huge ability and with an
unwavering dedication to a
profession which he loved.
His passing in Toronto last
week has robbed the press
world of a journalist of
towering stature.
I was Mitchell’s immediate
successor, back in the late
1950s, as the trainee journalist
in the reporters’ room of the
Northern Constitution, a
much-respected broadsheet
based in Coleraine. Mitchell
thus became one of my first
mentors in the complex world
of newspapers and newspaper
people.

I learned so much from him
in my formative years as a
local reporter – painfully
acquiring the skills that would
be expected of me by the
editors I would later serve.

I was able to observe
first-hand Mitchell’s uncanny
ability to recognise a news
story almost before it
happened! And to admire the
skill with which he translated
facts into readable news
stories.

I worked for some ten years
with Mitchell, both as a
colleague and later as a ‘rival ’
when I joined the Abbey
Street staff of The Chronicle,
although the relationship
between the two papers was
always relaxed and friendly.
Few were surprised when
they amalgamated in 1970.
In addition to being a
member of the Constitution’s
editorial team in the Coleraine
area, Mitchell was a
correspondent for the
national and Belfast press,
including radio and television.
Again, it was a role he
undertook with energy and
enthusiasm.

Mitchell loved his native
Ballycastle, from where many
of his news stories emanated.
His knowledge of the town
and its people was incredible
and he himself was one of the
town’s best known residents.
He had, I know, many
opportunities to move to
Belfast and beyond in the
furtherance of his career.
The union of The Chronicle
and The Constitution was
mirrored shortly afterwards
by the marriage of Mitchell
and Vilma, to the delight of
their many friends. But we
were sorry when they also
announced their decision to
move to Canada.

In Toronto Mitchell’s
journalistic talent was soon
recognised and a
distinguished career in the
Canadian press culminated in
his appointment as travel
editor of the Toronto Star.
Mitchell maintained his
links with his many friends in
the Ulster press and in recent
years his annual visit home
was an event much looked
forward to. He had a
remarkable repertoire of
stories of his many
assignments on behalf of the
Toronto Star.

Mitchell ’s last visit to
Northrn Ireland was in June
last year and despite recent
illnesses he had been hoping
to return this Sepember.

The sympathy of Michell’s
many friends in the
newspaper world go out to
Vilma and sons and to
Mitchell ’s sisters Anne and
Helen.

Hugh McGrattan.

*Mitchell Smyth was a natural journalist of huge ability and with an unwavering
dedication to a profession which he loved. The sympathy of
Michell’s many friends in the newspaper world go out to Vilma and sons
and to Mitchell’s sisters Anne and Helen.