GEORGE ELDON SMITH

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GEORGE ELDON SMITH With great sadness we announce the passing of Eldon on Saturday, August 30, 2003, at home. Eldon was healthy and full of life when it was cut short so unexpectedly by a stroke. His loving wife, Gwen, life companion and soul mate, was at his side. They were looking forward to celebrating his 89th birthday on September 1 and their 60th anniversary on November 20. He is missed and lovingly remembered by his son Peter (Annette) of Port Moody and their granddaughters, Lisa and Kathleen and his daughter Wendy Hurst (Jock) of Ottawa and granddaughters, Amy and Marnie also niece Debbie Winterton of Winnipeg. Predeceased by his parents and his brother Charles and his wife Elinor; he is also survived by his sisters, Marjorie Thompson (Charlie) of Vancouver and Jean Fisher (John) of Trail as well as eight other nieces and nephews. Born in Winnipeg on September 1, 1914, Eldon spent his early years in Portage la Prairie and was educated in Moose Jaw where he entered the Bank of Montreal in 1933. After a number of postings in Saskatchewan and Manitoba, he served with the Canadian Army from 1942 to 1945. He married Gwen Hall at Charlottetown in 1943. After the war, they returned to Winnipeg to work at the bank and start their family. Eldon opened the Fort Garry branch in 1955, was transferred to Regina in 1961 and the following year opened the banks Los Angeles office. Our family thrived during the California sixties. They returned to Winnipeg as empty nesters in 1969, and he retired from the bank in 1977. Eldon and Gwen travelled the world and soon became part of the snow bird set, spending most winters in Palm Springs. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary at Napili Kai on the island of Maui. A devoted husband, father and friend, Eldon was the backbone of our family and took great joy in watching his granddaughters mature into thriving and delightful young adults. A memorial will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, September 6, at Neil Bardal Inc., 984 Portage Ave. Aubrey Street entrance with the Reverend Canon Tony Harwood-Jones officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, 200 - 6 Donald St., R3L 0K6 or a charity of your choice. NEIL BARDAL INC. 949-2200

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 04, 2003