[1]Harry Leslie Smith travelled to refugee camps around the world as part of his crusade. Photo from GoFundMe.
By Thomas Goyer [2]
BELLEVILLE – An advocate for the poor, refugees and universal health care, writer, podcaster and veteran Harry Leslie Smith has died at 95.
His son, John, was at his side when he died.
At 3:39 this morning, my dad Harry Leslie Smith died. I am an orphan. #istandwithharry [3]
— Harry Leslie Smith (@Harryslaststand) November 28, 2018 [4]
John says that his father was content with his work but wanted to do more.
“He felt a great deal of pride and satisfaction with the work that he had done. I think the thing is he felt that he hadn’t done enough and that was the worst thing that he didn’t think that there was enough time and he was proven correct,” he said.
Tributes from around the world have posted online. Including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Throughout his life, Harry Leslie Smith fought and worked to make the world a better place for everyone. @HarrysLastStand [5] is at an end, but his legacy will be profound. My condolences to his son John, and to his many friends & admirers around the world.
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) November 28, 2018 [6]
John says Smith was pleasantly surprised at the attention and praise he received while in hospital.
“In his final hours he was able to grab the imagination of people and hopefully plant a few seeds with them as well that will mean they will become people who are more socially aware and will want to change their own society,” he said.
He became internationally famous later in life for his writing and advocacy of social causes. Smith toured the world spreading his message and fighting for the economically disadvantaged.
Leslie was born to a poor family in Yorkshire in 1923. His sister Marion died from tuberculosis when he was just three years old. He said her death is a large part of why he believes universal health care is essential.
He experienced his youth during the Great Depression in the 1930s. Living through and witnessing great poverty led him to believe it is important that his past did not become our future.
Smith joined the Royal Air Force in 1941 and served with the occupation force in Germany after the war. This is where he met his wife, Freide.
The couple immigrated to Canada in 1953.
Freide would die from cancer in 1999.
Smith self-published several books. His 2014 book ‘Harry’s Last Stand’ was a bestseller and gained him a large following.
In recent years, his podcast and popular Twitter account have been spreading his messages on politics and social issues. His Twitter account has over 250,000 followers.
His health had deteriorated in recent months and he had been hospitalized in Belleville since last week after falling in his home.
He leaves behind his sons Michael, along with John, and by two grandchildren.