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JOSEPH (JOE) STANLEY SMITHSON
Date of Passing: Oct 25, 2022
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JOSEPH (JOE) STANLEY SMITHSON
Joseph Stanley Smithson passed on October 25, 2022, at the age of 88. Although always humble, Joe leaves behind a tremendous legacy as an accomplished Paralympic athlete and builder of wheelchair sport in Canada. He will be greatly missed by family and friends who cherished his quiet resolve and dedication, but more than anything, his kind and caring spirit.
Joe was born to parents Robert and Margaret in Eden, Manitoba. The youngest of seven siblings (Bob, Ted, Catherine, Janet, Harry, Lawrence all deceased), Joe spent his youth working the farm and developed an early love for sport, competing in hockey, curling and baseball.
At the age of 19, Joe contracted polio. While he was left paralyzed from the waist down, Joe was fortunate to overcome the illness and was determined to push forward. During rehabilitation, he found his passion for wheelchair sports, pursued an education, and met the love of his life, Bev.
Joe joined Manitoba's first wheelchair basketball team in 1965 and went on to become one of Canada's top athletes in the sport. During the peak of his career, he was captain of the Manitoba Provincial Team (the Red River Ramblers) and competed with the Canadian National Team at the Pan-American Games in Argentina (1969), and the Paralympic Games in Heidelberg (1972) and Toronto (1976). Joe also competed at a national level in table tennis, slalom racing and swimming.
Joe was dedicated to the development of wheelchair sports in Canada, volunteering with the Manitoba Wheelchair Sport Association, the Canadian Wheelchair Sport Association and many other groups. In recognition of his achievements and contributions, Joe was named to the Canadian Wheelchair Basketball Hall of Fame at the inaugural induction ceremony in 1995.
In addition to his athletic pursuits, Joe had an accomplished professional career starting with GBR Architects and then assisting with the startup of SMS Engineering where he remained until his retirement in 1994. Joe specialized in HVAC design and is credited with the HVAC design for many prominent buildings in Winnipeg and across Canada.
Joe loved travelling with his wife and teammates, including regular trips to Hawaii later in life. He cherished time with his children and grandchildren, taking them on many road trips and visits to the zoo, museums and other attractions. He could always be seen at the pool or hockey arena cheering on his grandkids.
Joe will be greatly missed by his surviving family, including his wife of 63 years, Bev; son, Tim; daughter Cheryl (Todd Goldhawk); grandchildren Brett (Brendan Gribbons) and Kristine (Isaac Friesen); and great-granddaughters Payton and Quinn Friesen.
We invite you to join us in raising a toast to Joe with his favourite drink: a rum and coke. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Post-Polio Network (Manitoba) or Manitoba Wheelchair Sport Association.
THOMSON "IN THE PARK"
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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 12, 2022
Condolences & Memories (4 entries)
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I just read an article in the community paper announcing those we lost in 2022. I recognized Joe's name immediately. After my dad, Don Mitchell, died 16 years ago now I went on a quest to find some old stories about my father from the Society of MB with Disabilities. They were kind enough to share many archival info on his involvement in many of the same sports as Joe and someone suggested I reach out to him. I did so and was thrilled to meet him and his wife who were so generous of their time and sharing stories so that my children could learn more about their grandfather at his celebration of life. My deepest condolences to family and friends of this wonderful human being. - Posted by: Karen Tyler (Daughter of another wheelchair, table tennis, archer and swimming paralympic athlete ) on: Feb 01, 2023
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Sincere condolences to Bev and family. As a teammate I remember Joe as someone who showed his leadership by being calm and steady, even when the score was not favorable. Earl and Sandra - Posted by: Earl McArthur (teammate ) on: Nov 15, 2022
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I’m so sorry to hear of Joe’s passing, I knew Joe all of my life as his mother and my grandmother were sisters, although Joe lived in Winnipeg I would meet him occasionally while growing up in my home town of Eden. Joe was always a kind man and never let his disability stand in the way of anything he wanted to do. Over the years I would sometimes run into Joe and we would catch up on things, we both attended the Refit centre where we had many great conversations. I would also get updates from his son in law Todd who I worked with, again I am sorry for your loss, please accept my condolences, he will be missed. David Scott. - Posted by: David Scott (Cousin) on: Nov 12, 2022
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Dear Bev and family I am so sorry to hear of Joe's passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Please accept our deepest condolences. Diane and Alex - Posted by: Diane Hrychuk (family friend) on: Nov 12, 2022
Thomson In the Park Funeral Home and Cemetery
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