George 'Bruce' Smith

George 'Bruce' Smith

George "Bruce" Smith, 62, of Havre, passed away on Nov. 20, 2012, at his residence of natural causes. Cremation has taken place, and a celebration of Bruce's life will be held at 3 p. m. on Friday, Nov. 30, 2012, at the Fifth Avenue Christian Church. Holland & Bonine Funeral Home has been entrusted with services and arrangements.

Bruce was born on Nov. 26, 1949, in Great Falls to George M. and Margo (Strause) Smith. He was raised in Great Falls, graduating from Great Falls High School before moving to Havre to attend Northern Montana College.

While in college, he met and married Patricia LaCroix, and their union was blessed with four children. Bruce worked as a carpenter moving to the Flathead area for a short time to build houses before returning to Havre in 1983 to work at the Northern Montana College physical plant as a carpenter. The couple later divorced.

While he was working for the college, he also owned Great Northern Gallery, making custom-made picture frames. He worked for the college for 22 years before becoming self-employed, renovating homes and helping friends and family with their projects.

He was truly a jack-of-all-trades. He enjoyed playing softball and continued building picture frames for family and friends as gifts, but his great loves were his family and his dog "Rex. "

Bruce was preceded in death by his father, George M. Smith; and his brother, Keith Smith.

He is survived by his sons, Andrew (Barbara) Smith of Havre and Zachary (Megan) Smith of Billings; his daughters, Kayce Hansen and Jill Smith of Billings; his nine grandchildren; his mother, Margo A. Smith of Great Falls; and his sister, Marsha (Bob) Dickmann of Olathe, Kan.