Christopher Smith

Christopher Smith. Photo / Supplied

We remember the people who lost their lives in the Christchurch earthquake. Learn more and share your memories and thoughts.

Christopher Patrick Smith, who died in the Christchurch earthquake shortly after dropping his son Dean at school, was remembered at his funeral as an adventurer, a fishing enthusiast and a joker.

"Smitty", as his friends and family knew him, was father to four teenage sons and Dean said he had been joking and laughing on the Tuesday morning as he drove him to class.

"Why weren't you two blocks away?" his son asked at the funeral.

"Why now? Why not in 20 years?"

Raised in Timaru, Smitty, 48, attended Sacred Heart, before being schooled at St Thomas' in Christchurch.

He worked for PlaceMakers in Christchurch, before emigrating to Australia, where he worked for Whittakers, Coopers Tools and Bosch.

Smitty recently returned with his family to Leeston, half an hour southwest of Christchurch.

He was working in the city for Bosch when the earthquake struck.

Smitty's brother Michael said the family struggled with his premature death but that Smitty had left four proud teenage boys, who showed signs of their father's warmth and irreverence.

Eldest son Mark said his dad had prepared his children for life, and they would now be able to look after their mother.

Smitty was a passionate rugby player, coach and manager. He was also heavily involved in Cubs and Scouts, and tried his hand at tae kwon do.