CORY BRUCE SMITH

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CORY BRUCE SMITH January 4, 1975 - December 16, 2000 On Saturday, December 16, 2000 at 1:31 a.m., Cory took off on his final flight. After a valiant and courageous six year battle, first, with lung cancer and then with leukemia, Cory can now soar in the clouds. Cory was born in Regina, January 4, 1975 moving briefly to Yorkton and then to Winnipeg. He attended Bedson and Sansome Schools, graduating from Westwood Collegiate in 1993. He enrolled in Science at the University of Manitoba but withdrew part way through second year to undergo lung surgery. While recovering, he traveled to B.C. where he worked for several months before returning to Winnipeg. In 1997 he reentered the University of Manitoba in the Faculty of Agriculture and also started flying lessons. Cory was diagnosed with leukemia in 1998. Because of his health, Cory learned to set and meet individual goals. One of those was to graduate from University which he did in May, 2000 with his degree in Agri-Business. Another was to get a "real" job which he did with Manitoba Inter Governmental Affairs helping design and build a community inventory and web site for Manitoba. Corys therapy was mechanics and models. He was an avid RC modeler, building and flying many RC planes as well as boats and cars. His last project, left unfinished, was a working model of a Canadair Water Bomber, his pride and joy. A member of the Winnipeg Headingley Aero Modelers, he loved the peaceful times at the flying field. Cory held a number of jobs over the years - paper boy, gas jockey, parts shipper at Piston Ring, Zamboni Driver at KWCC (Official Zamboni Driver of POWER 97!), ice cream man at Sargent Sundae, grain handler at Agricore, St. Agathe, yard worker at Westfield Industries, Rosenort. He was most recently employed by Manitoba Rural Development/Intergovernmental Affairs. On October 28 Cory underwent an unrelated Bone Marrow Transplant at Health Sciences Centre. He was out of the hospital in a ward record of 24 days, and very proud of it. His improvement was remarkable as he continued to set benchmarks and renew plans for the future. Alas, it was not to be. He was hospitalized again December 13, and diagnosed with Chicken Pox, which quickly became an overwhelming infection. Cory was a very special individual and will be sadly missed but fondly remembered. His zest for life was infectious, and he approached each task as he did his cancer, with wit, humour, determination and a positive attitude that were, despite his young age, an inspiration to all who came in contact with him. Cory taught us all a lot about life over the past six years. He had unfailing faith that he would beat this thing and fought courageously to the very end. Cory will be fondly remembered by his soul mate Nancy Fulawka of LaSalle; parents, Bruce and Elaine Smith; brother Shane of Winnipeg; grandparents, John and Effie Calder, Dominion City; uncles and aunts, Brian and Winnie Smith, Gerry and Caroline Smith, Bill and Hazel Bochinski of Winnipeg, Cam and Betty Calder and Glen and Maryanne Calder of Carlowrie, Man., Dave and Rose Fulawka of LaSalle, numerous cousins and many, many friends near and far. As Cory wished, cremation has taken place. A celebration of Corys life will be held 2:00 p.m., Thursday, December 21 in the Westwood Community Church, 401 Westwood Drive, Chaplain Daly de Gagne officiating. The family extends special thanks to Dr. Mills and staff at the Westwood Clinic, Dr. Rubinger, Joanne, Nancy, Pat and the other doctors, nurses, staff and volunteers at Cancer Care Manitoba, especially GD6 and especially Tunji, Joyce and Fatima whose brightness Cory so enjoyed. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to either the GD6 Patience Comfort Fund at Health Sciences Centre, 800 Sherbrook St., Wpg., MB, R3B 2H8 or Cancer Care Manitoba Foundation, (the BMT Program), 675 McDermot Ave., Room 0N109, Wpg., MB, R3E 0V9. "Fly Cory, fly! Youre free" WOJCIKSS FUNERAL CHAPEL & CREMATORIUM 897-4665

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 19, 2000