GERALD EMILE SMITH

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

GERALD EMILE SMITH December 2, 1946 - July 1, 2007 After valiantly battling heart disease and its many complications for almost 30 years, Gerry passed away at the age of 60 years, at St. Boniface Hospital, with his family by his side. He fought many a hard battle and always won, but this time, it was not to be. Throughout his illnesses, he never asked, why me ; his stubborn determination helped him carry on, regardless of how he felt. Gerry leaves behind, his wife, Gwen; son, Derek (Tracy); daughter, Melanie, and his two granddaughters, who he loved so much, Brooke and Faith; sisters, Priscilla Smith and Irene Laurent; brothers, Ray (Linda) and Wilfred; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, David and Helen Smith; brother, Richard and his wife, Rose, and his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Steve and Margaret Johnson. Gerry grew up in St. Vital and with his great memory, he could tell stories of life on Arden Ave. in the 1950s, getting ice from the horse drawn wagon, Nock's store at the end of the street and how there was mostly bush with only a few houses here and there. Saturday afternoons were spent walking to the Vogue Theatre on St. Mary's and St. Anne's for the afternoon matinee, which cost 15 cents. Gerry seldom forgot a face, even someone he had not seen since childhood. As a teenager, Gerry worked at a variety of jobs: building basements, Nick's Bakery and Red River Construction, but after getting married, decided he wanted to be a baker, attended Red River Community College and in July 1969, was hired by Canada Safeway for their in-store bakeries. After 36 years, many changes in the bakery and poor health, he retired in December 2005. He coached his son's hockey team at Southdale Community Club and was involved with the fundraising and building of the indoor arena. He also umpired baseball, enjoying the fun as well as the conflicts. After retirement, as often as he was able, he joined the gang for morning coffee at Burger King and afternoon at Tim's, mostly for the conversation; solving the world's problems and enjoying hearing about others' travels, as he was unable to do. Gerry was so proud of his red '57 Chevy, his new sunroom and his children's accomplishments. The family would like to thank many staff at St. Boniface Hospital: most recently 4B, and over the last year, 5A South and CCU, Dr. Zeroth and her staff, Dr. Rigatto and Dr. Armstrong for their compassion and genuine caring, P.D. Nurses, and Paulette - Dialysis Case Coordinator - for all her support. Roseanne, words cannot express the appreciation we feel for having you involved in Gerry's care; also Tom who was always there for Gerry. Prayers will be said 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 5, 2007, at Green Acres Funeral Home, Hwy. No. 1 E. at Navin Road. Funeral mass will be held 10:00 a.m., Friday, July 6, 2007, at Christ the King Parish, 847 St. Mary's Road, the Rev. Fr. Renato Pasinato, celebrant. Interment will follow in St. Vital Cemetery. The pallbearers will be Messrs. Brian, Larry and Glen Marmonier, Doug Cook, Tom Moran and Jack Ewatski. Donations in Gerry's memory may be made to the St. Boniface Hospital, Cardiac Research, 409 Tache Ave., Winnipeg, R2H 2A6. Rest in peace. No more pain. GREEN ACRES Funeral Home and Cemetery Hwy. #1 E. at Navin, (204) 222-3241

Make a donation to

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 05, 2007