RALPH SMITH

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RALPH SMITH On January 8, 2001, Ralph Smith passed away peacefully after a valiant struggle, at Deer Lodge Centre, with his family by his side. Born in Wales in 1921, Ralph was brought by his parents to Canada in 1932. The family made their home in Regina, where Ralph attended school, then worked as an automobile mechanic. His imagination was captured during these years by aviation and he spent much time at the Regina airport then and later, during the Second World War, Ralph served in the Air Observance School on loan from the R.C.A.F. and later in the Canadian Army. While stationed in Winnipeg in 1944, Ralph courted and married Ellen Nicholson, his lifes companion. Ralph and Ellen spent their first 14 years in Regina, where three daughters were born. They also cared for the two daughters Sandy and Carol of a family friend, who regarded Ralph as a second father. Ralph worked as a mechanic and was involved in Air Cadets and model airplane clubs. The family moved several times to various locations in Saskatchewan, Manitoba and British Columbia before settling down in 1970 in Winnipeg where Ralph was employed by Chrysler Canada. Ralphs retirement in the mid 1980s allowed him to pursue his model building activities and to volunteer at the Western Canada Aviation Museum. Because of declining health, Ralph entered Deer Lodge Centre in 1999. Here he was cared for with love and compassion by Ellen and the staff of the Centre. Ralph was predeceased by his parents, Daisy and Arthur Smith. Left to mourn his passing are his wife Ellen; his daughters, Debra McNab, Teresa (Jim) Hominuke, and Jocelyn McGuire; and his grandchildren, Dan, Elizabeth, James (Shari),Joel, and Hollyanne. Our thanks to the staff members of 2 South at Deer Lodge Centre for their loving and gentle care of Ralph and their concern for the familys needs. A memorial service will be held Friday, January 12 at 2:30 p.m. in St. Chads Anglican Church, 3390 Portage Ave. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ralphs memory to the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba, 10 - 120 Donald St., Winnipeg, MB R3C 4G2, or the Manitoba Lung Association, 629 McDermot Ave., Winnipeg, MB R3A 1P6. NEIL BARDAL INC. 949-2200

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 11, 2001