Famous Captain of the Uto Ni Yalo, voyager, environmentalist and diver who was fondly known to many as 'Skipper' Johnathan Smith passed away in a road accident yesterday morning.
Condolences continue to pour in from many in the country and the Pacific after the sad passing of Smith.
Smith who was from Lami had gone for his mother’s funeral in Lautoka and unfortunately passed away after he allegedly lost control of the vehicle he was driving, causing it to veer off the road at the junction of M.N Naidu Rd and Drasa Avenue, Lautoka at around 5am yesterday.
A post mortem will be conducted to ascertain the cause of death.
While speaking to fijivillage, Smith’s son, Tristan says his dad grew up in Drasa Avenue with his 4 other siblings, attended Drasa Avenue Primary and later went to Natabua High School.
Skipper Smith then joined Maritime School and started off as a cadet on a container ship travelling to Australia and around the Pacific.
Tristan says from his experience on the container ships, Skipper Smith climbed up the ladder to earn his Chief Officer status.
After leaving the container ships he furthered his studies and became Captain on a diving vessel.
He later joined the dive centre company as Operations Manager and Underwater Surveyor.
Tristan also shared that his dad always told him that what he struggled with the most was missing out on the birth of his kids, his father's funeral and birthdays.
Skipper Smith’s mother’s funeral is being held in Lautoka today.
The family is currently awaiting Smith’s post mortem report before proceeding with his funeral.
