After a life of service, laughter and puzzles, Poppy passed away peacefully on October 15, 2025.
Born Ian Michael to George Balsillie and Olive Jefferson-Smith, he joined his older sister Margaret in Kendal, England on January 13, 1926. Ian joined the Royal Navy during World War II, serving in the Mediterranean, Indian and South Pacific theatres until 1948 when he emigrated to Canada. How fortuitous that the emigration plan required a compulsory year of farm service, as he met Barbara Turner, the daughter of the local blacksmith in Acton, Ontario, and his future wife. They were wed in 1951. After Ian completed Ontario Agricultural College in 1954 the couple settled in Kemptville where Ian taught at the Kemptville Agricultural School for 13 years and where all six of their children, Doug, Wendy, Margaret, Peter, Murray and Sheila were born. In 1967, Ian joined the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations as an agricultural engineer and the family relocated to Tehran, Iran. After returning to Canada, they settled in South Bay, Prince Edward County. Upon the arrival of grandchildren Megan, Amelia, Maureen, Janelle, Desirae and Billy he was christened “Poppy” as he has henceforth been known to all.
Poppy read voraciously; books about ships and the sea, geography and mysteries, even consuming a daily audiobook in his later years. As a councillor for the Township of South Marysburg and the municipality of Prince Edward County, he served on the Library Board, later chairing the Board for many years and even participating on the Ontario Library Board.
Poppy loved to garden. He tended gladioli, spinach and onions and has kept a pink geranium from his daughter’s wedding alive since 1993. He was active on many farming organizations across the province including The Ontario Federation of Agriculture, Ontario Farm Safety Association, 4-H Ontario, and Ontario Apple Marketing Commission. Name a farmer in Ontario and Poppy would ask about their relatives, narrow down the farm to the nearest concession road, and tell you a story about their grandfather.
Moving to Harrow in 2019, Poppy spent his last decade teasing his young great-grandchildren Imogen, Bennett, Seamus, Tessa and Elsie and charming the many visitors and patrons at the farm. He tallied his weeks by the number of puzzles completed and capped each one with a wee dram of his beloved Laphroaig Scotch Whiskey.
We extend heartfelt thanks to the many homecare Nurses and PSWs as well as the staff and volunteers of Erie Shore Hospice that have taken gentle care of Poppy and endured endless jokes and ribbing.
Visitation for Ian will be held at Gerald A. Smith Funeral Home (197 King St. W., Harrow) Sunday, October 19 from 2 to 5 p.m.
If you wish, memorial donations would be appreciated to Erie Shores Hospice, 197 Talbot St West, Suite 210, Leamington ON N8H 1N8, a donation made to your local library or to the charity of your choice.
Condolences and special memories can be shared with the family at Geraldasmith.ca.