DONALD BERESFORD SMITH

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DONALD BERESFORD SMITH Peacefully on November 16, 2001 Don Smith passed away at Deer Lodge Centre. Warm memories are cherished by his beloved wife Muriel; their two children, Graham (Marie), Barbara Gottfried (Kurt) and three wonderful grandchildren, Kristofer, Brittany and Jason of Parksville, BC; niece Wendy Smith, Victoria, BC; and brother-in-law Walter Hough, Vancouver, BC. Don was predeceased by his parents, Stanley Charles and Ivy Christie (Leitch) and his only brother Stan. Born December 16, 1924 in Vancouver, BC, moved with his family to Winnipeg in 1932 where he attended Earl Grey, Kelvin High School and the University of Winnipeg. From a young age and throughout his academic years Don excelled in sports from amateur competition to the professional field. Dons love of people and sport was reflected through the years as he moved from athlete status to coach to sports administrator. He played for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers 1946 - 1949, participating in two Grey Cup games. Don was head coach of the Kelvin High School Clippers in 1947 and the Weston Wildcats Junior Football team in 1952 and 1953 winning the Western Canadian Championship. He served as a member of Football Official Association, past president of the Manitoba Amateur Football and Winnipeg Blue Bombers Alumni Associations and a director on the Winnipeg Blue Bomber Executive for 16 years. In January 1944 Don enlisted with the Royal Winnipeg Rifles and was wounded in action overseas. He was a long-standing member of Fort Garry and St. James Legions. Throughout his business career, Don worked in the insurance field with Canadian Indemnity and Travelers Insurance Companies. He formed his own insurance agency in 1959 later joining Warren, Still and Johnstone, retiring in 1989. Gifted with a great sense of humour and interacting with people was one of Dons greatest pleasures and strongest skills. He served as President of the Fort Garry Community Club, which lead to chairing the advisory committee on parks and recreation. Elected to City Council in 1976, he represented the Wildewood and Pembina wards serving two terms and on numerous committees. Don was awarded the "Order of the Gate" in recognition of outstanding voluntary service to the citizens of the Fort Garry area. The official opening of the "Don Smith Park", Whyte Ridge, Fort Garry on September 26, 1991 was a very rare and humbling honour. He was a man who loved Winnipeg and gave his heart and personal touch to making a positive difference in the lives of people he met everyday. A special place in his heart was family summer vacations spent at "Hockey Haven", Long Bow Lake, ON. The family gratefully acknowledges the wonderful nursing staff, 3 east Deer Lodge Centre, friends and neighbours for their help and concern. In lieu of flowers, tributes may be made to a charity of choice. A remembrance service will be held November 22, 11:00 a.m. at Thomson Funeral Chapel, 669 Broadway. THOMSON FUNERAL CHAPELS 783-7211

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 20, 2001