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Henry Smith MIMC
1936 - 2010
Remembered by Ian Adair
Henry Smith passed away on Thursday 11th February, having previously
been diagnosed with cancer of the liver.
As a youngster, he was a member of the Boys Magic Service of Wales and was
performing at church and social functions.
Henry was a Major in the Salvation Army and later became an evangelist, often
introducing magic into his sermons.
I met Henry in the 1970's when we became close friends, right up to the end. We
would attend conventions, meet at each other's homes and spend Christmases
together. He was my best man at my wedding.
Although he was a very accomplished children's entertainer, Henry was best known
as a Gospel magician and was a founder member of The Fellowship of Christian
Magicians, attending and lecturing at their annual conventions.
For ten years he edited The Gospel Column, contributing his own gospel routines,
in the pages of The Magigram, published by the Supreme Magic Company, and he
edited two books on the subject as well as performing gospel magic on a
commercial video which was sold to the public.
Henry had the great honour of appearing with both Cliff Richard and Billy Graham
and appeared twice at the famous Blackpool Tower.
A member of British Ring 25, IBM (Order of Merlin) and The Magic Circle, he was
awarded M.I.M.C with gold star, in 2008.
I, for one, will miss him dearly. I know his many friends will too.
To his lovely wife Kathy, we send our deepest condolences.
Ian Adair, February 2010