ERNEST JOHN SMITH M.ARCH, FRAIC, RCA

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ERNEST JOHN SMITH M.ARCH, FRAIC, RCA December 17, 1919 - October 22, 2004 Ernest passed away peacefully in The Pas, MB, with his family by his side while listening to his favourite music. Left to celebrate his life are his children, Lynda, Emily (Nick), Christopher (Connie) grandchildren, Steven and Jeffery; sister Vera; brother Robert; and many relatives. Born and educated in Winnipeg, he grew up on Aubrey Street. He attended the University of Manitoba where he attained his Bachelors degree in Architecture and where he won the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada Gold Medal. He later received a scholarship to study at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Boston where he received his Masters Degree. Ernest enjoyed nature. He spent his summers on Lake Winnipeg, as a youth at Grand Beach and later with his family at their cottage at Hillside Beach. It was at Grand Beach where he met the love of his life ("on the boardwalk") - Marjorie his wife of 48 years. They were blessed with three children Lynda, Emily and Christopher. It was at the lake where he enjoyed fishing, boating and swimming, working on the cottage and most of all - entertaining family and friends. Later in life he enjoyed spending the winters in Florida and the summers at Hillside Beach where he designed and built his retirement home, which was featured at The Royal Canadian Academy of Arts "Prairie Region Exhibition" at the Winnipeg Art Gallery in 1997. He looked forward to getting away with the "boys" on their annual fishing trips to Pisces Island on Labyrinth Bay, Lake of the Woods. It is here where he could let his hair down, build "stuff", fish and explore the wilderness. This was truly a special part in his life. Ernests passion was Architecture. While at the U. of M. he and his friends Dennis Carter and Walter Katelnikoff made a commitment to start an architectural practice in Winnipeg upon Ernests graduation from MIT. In 1947, the firm that has sustained the name Smith Carter was established and became a prominent name in Architecture in Manitoba, across Canada and elsewhere. In the early years he taught design at the University while building the practice and "beating the bushes" throughout Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario pursuing school, church and hospital projects. Ernest functioned as managing partner of Smith Carter until his retirement in 1985 after 38 years in practice. He was particularly proud of the influence the firm had on the skyline of Winnipeg and his accomplishments related to international work. Notable projects include the Pan-Am Swimming Pool, Centennial Centre (the Centennial Concert Hall, Planetarium, and Museum of Man and Nature), Lombard Place/Richardson Building, Bank of Nova Scotia and Concourse at Portage and Main, Place dAccuiel Expo 67 in Montreal, the Canadian Chancery Building in Warsaw Poland, Kermanshah Technical Training Centre in Iran and the Canadian Embassy Building in Moscow. Over the years Ernest held numerous professional postings and honours. He always felt this was an important aspect of his life, not only to strengthen his career but also to advance the Architectural profession. Notable activities included: President of the Manitoba Association of Architects (1956-61) and Life Member (2000), Chairman of the National Joint Committee on Construction Materials (1963-65), Dean of the College of Fellows (1972-75) and Chancellor of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (1979). Ernest enjoyed and supported the arts. Over the years he was a member of the Winnipeg Art Gallery, co-chairman of the Fine Arts Committee for the Centennial Cultural Centre (1967) and participated in varying capacities on the board of the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, including President from 1969-71. He was a member of Council of the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts (1974) and later donated his time to fundraising pursuits for the RCA. He was particularly fond of playing the piano and upon retirement took lessons for many years to advance his playing skills. He remained a dedicated husband to his wife Marjorie and following her illness took on the responsibility for her day-to-day care. His efforts were tireless to ensure that the quality of her life was maintained until her death in 1993. He continued to live at Hillside Beach until 1998 when he moved to Winnipeg where he lived at The Wellington. In 2001, he moved to St. Pauls Personal Care home in The Pas where his son Chris resides with his family. A memorial service to celebrate Ernests life will be held in Winnipeg at Westworth United Church, 1750 Grosvenor Ave., 2:00 p.m. Thursday, October 28 with Rev. Clark Saunders presiding. In lieu of flowers, if friends so desire please make a donation to the Alzheimers Society Manitoba or the Parkinson Society Canada, Manitoba Region. Hemauer Funeral Home in The Pas, 204-623-3261 and Wereschuks Funeral Chapel in Winnipeg, 204-582-0929, in care of arrangements.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 27, 2004