New Scholarship Established for Hamilton Worker Justin Smith

A new scholarship is being created to remember a Hamilton man who passed away earlier this year while clearing snow off a pier during his work duties.

This scholarship will honor Justin Smith, 29, and recognize his commitment to guiding younger workers. 

Smith was a steel supervisor at Ontario Shipyards’ Hamilton location. He tragically lost his life on Jan. 26 after falling off Pier 14 into Hamilton Harbour, according to Hamilton police reports at the time. He was removing snow near the edge of the dock when “a piece of equipment entered the water,” police stated.

The Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development is looking into Smith’s death, a spokesperson told CBC Hamilton on Friday.

As noted in his obituary, Smith was a father of two and the oldest of three brothers. He had been with Ontario Shipyards for almost ten years. 

Shaun Padulo, CEO of the shipbuilding company, mentioned in an interview this week that he and Smith started working there around the same time and often had conversations together. Padulo shared that he also spent time with Smith and his children outside of work.

Smith remembered as ‘natural leader and mentor’ by mother

“Justin was a really good friend,” Padulo told CBC Hamilton, visibly emotional. “He did so much for young steelworkers coming into the field.”

Padulo recalled how after one of his first town hall meetings at work, Smith was quick to provide feedback – a pattern that continued throughout their time together. He said they often discussed ways to enhance skills for younger hires. 

Padulo spoke at Smith’s funeral, sharing how they talked about him returning to school and taking on a role training new employees as the company aimed to grow its shipbuilding operations. 

Following this conversation, Smith’s mother Barbara reached out, leading them to discuss setting up a scholarship in her son’s memory.

Justin Smith’s mother, Barbara, says mentoring colleagues was very important to him. (Submitted by Barbara Smith)

This past Wednesday, Padulo signed agreements with Mohawk College in Hamilton and South Korean shipbuilder Hanwha Ocean to create a new learning hub at Ontario Shipyards aimed at training students for careers in the marine sector.

During a news conference, he announced that he had promised Barbara that Ontario Shipyards would establish the scholarship at Mohawk College.

“As our partnership with Mohawk College and Hanwha develops further, there will be additional ways we can honor Justin because one of his greatest contributions in life was how he trained and mentored others within our team. He believed strongly in helping future generations,” he said.
“It was very important to me to see his legacy continue in this way.” – Barbara Smith

“I am deeply grateful and excited to see what Shaun creates in Justin’s honor; it will be something both I and his boys can take pride in knowing Justin’s influence endures,” Barbara wrote in an email to CBC Hamilton expressing her family’s appreciation for it all.

She described her son as “a natural leader and mentor especially towards female colleagues in what can often be a male-dominated industry.”

He “truly loved” his job; she mentioned that he always aimed to support those who wanted to learn more about it himself having experienced mentorship firsthand believed strongly in providing similar opportunities for others.

“It meant everything me help others through recognition him,” she added.

Mohawk College Collaborating with Ontario Shipyards Family

Padulo stated that he along with Barbara are still finalizing details regarding the scholarship while emphasizing he wants her input on determining its recipients.

A representative from Mohawk College named Sean Coffey shared with CBC when ready their advancement team would collaborate closely alongside Ontario Shipyards sorting through arrangements.

A fundraiser organized by one family friend has managed so far raised approximately $45K intended as trust fund dedicated solely for supporting benefits designated specifically towards providing well-being assistance directly towards supporting needs including education expenses related directly benefiting from such efforts made surrounding raising funds during difficult times ahead since passing recent events occurred earlier on January month following tragic incident ending prematurely life taken untimely far too soon.

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