Ross Smith

Ross George Hector Smith

With his family at his side, on Sunday, September 9th, 2012 at Golden West Centennial Lodge, Winnipeg, Ross Smith passed away at the age of 78 years.

Left to mourn his passing and to cherish his loving memory are his beloved wife Shirley of Winnipeg; children Brad (Karen) Smith and grandchildren Megan and Kayla of East Selkirk, MB, Brian Smith of Winnipeg, St. Amant Centre, Connie (John) Bagrie and grandchildren Kyle and Amy of Winnipeg, MB, Larry Smith and grandchildren Emily and Tori of Portage la Prairie, and David (Zita) Kinnear of Whitby, ON; siblings Shirley (Kevin) Shea of Ottawa, ON, Carolann (Dave) Scrim of Ottawa, ON and Charlie (Louise) Smith of Ottawa, ON; sister-in-law Phyllis (Art) McKenzie of Sioux Narrows, ON and brother-in-law Keith (Agathe) Kennedy of Montreal, QC, along with many nieces and nephews.

Predeceased by his parents George and Ivy Smith of Ottawa, ON, brother Dan Smith of Campbell River BC and sister-in-law Margie Taylor of Winnipeg, MB.

Ross was born July16, 1934 in Ottawa, Ontario and attended Borden School in Ottawa and Alliston High School at Camp Borden where his father was stationed in the army. After his graduation in 1952, Ross worked for a survey crew for the Department of Highways.

In October 1955, Ross applied to the RCMP in Toronto and on January 28th, 1955, he was sworn into the Force. Ross's career in the RCMP spanned 24 years with postings in Brandon, Virden, Clear Lake, Carberry, Minnedosa, Stonewall, Dauphin, and Portage la Prairie where he was promoted to Sergeant.

Carberry proved to be a special time in Ross's life where he met Shirley Kennedy who was employed as a registered nurse. They were married May 28th, 1960.

In March 1979, Ross retired from the RCMP and accepted a job as an insurance adjuster at the Portage Mutual Insurance Company. He worked at the Mutual for 23 years and spoke highly of the people he worked with there and the friends he met at the agencies throughout Manitoba.

Ross was a man who made it his work to do what was right for the communities he lived in. Amongst his community involvement, Ross served 18 years as a councilor for the City of Portage la Prairie having served on every committee, chairing five of them. He served 9 years on the Portage Hospital Board, 10 years on the Yellowhead Highway Association serving as president in 1991. He also served 3 years on the Portage Library Board, Director of A.R.C. Industries, and was president of Koko Platz Community Club as well as serving on Portage Minor Hockey Executive. He was also very involved with the fundraising committee of the Good Shepherd Parish. His faith was important to him and he was very proud when it was completed.

Family and friends were very important to Ross. One of his greatest joys was following the sporting activities of his children and grand children. He loved to joke and tease everyone but was always there to listen to a concern. He was a man of integrity and honesty and touched the lives of so many. He will be sadly missed.

Funeral service will be held on Friday, September 14, 2012 at 1:00 pm at Good Shepherd Parish, Portage la Prairie, led by Father Eric Giddins. Interment will follow at Hillside Cemetery.

As expressions of sympathy, if friends so wish, donations may be made in Ross's memory to the St. Amant Foundation 440 River Road Winnipeg, MB R2M 3Z9.

A tree will be planted in memory and cared for by McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel www.mckenziesportagefuneralchapel.com