ERNEST ALBERT SMITH

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ERNEST ALBERT SMITH 1923 - 2012 It is the profound sadness and deepest sorrow we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, and grandfather. After a lengthy illness Ernest has left us to be united with his parents, two brothers and a sister. Ernie was born and raised in Plumas, MB, on the homestead with his family. Dad attended Maitland School at the age of six. He found school difficult and left when he was 16 to make some money. Dad worked odd jobs in Plumas for a number of years before going to Winnipeg in 1943 to join the Army, he was turned down because he was told his feet were too flat. Dad returned to Plumas and drove a Gravel Truck, worked for Manitoba Hydro when they brought the power to Plumas. He also worked Bush Camps on the highways and airfields. In 1950, he went to Lake Louise with C.P.R. in a heating plant firing boilers that heated the hotel. In the spring of 1951, at Lake Louise is where he met Mavis Elliott of Morden, MB. After tourist season was over Mavis and Ernie where married at the Plumas United Church. A reception and barn dance was held at the farm. Dad and Mom took the train to Toronto to find work. He landed a job at General Motor, bought his first car in 1951, as he needed to drive 60 miles to work. In 1952, Maureen was born and they returned back to Winnipeg and Dad got a temporary job at Eatons and drove a cab double-duty for most of the summer. He was offered a position firing boilers and he worked towards his Engineer's ticket. The following year he received his Engineer's certificate. Mom and Dad moved in the spring to a old home in Brooklands, it reminded him of the old log cabin on the farm. They got free rent for fixing up the house. They saved really hard for a down payment on their own home. In the fall of 1957, we moved to the Weston area, a old house but it was ours. In 1958, Greg was born and a few years later we moved and bought a newer home in St. James. Dad applied for a Engineer's job at Great West Life Assurance and four weeks later he got a call saying the job was his. Dad worked for Great West Life for 20 years and retired in 1983, and built a summer home in Tenby, MB, and enjoyed many years there. Granddaughter Kristin was born in 1989. In August 2011, Dad took the family on a trip of a life time - a cruise to Europe. We toured seven countries; Berlin was his favorite. Ernie is survived by his wife Mavis, daughter Maureen, son Greg and fiancee Tannis Ankrom and granddaughter Kristin, two brothers Edwin and Norman and one sister Martha, as welal as numerous nephews, nieces and friends. Dad's motto in life is to enjoy it while you can. The family would like to extend their gratitude to Ernie's three nurses, Lilly, Rachel, and Dan. Service is being held t Zion Luthern Church in Plumas, MB, on Wednesday October 17, 2012, at 2:00 p.m. Gathering to follow at Plumas Hall. Clarke's Funeral Home in Gladstone is in charge of arrangements.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 15, 2012