November 12, 1933 - November 6, 2022
Edmund D. Smith was born November 12, 1933, in Kenville, Manitoba, to the parents of Alice and Charles Henry Smith. Ed passed away just days short of his 89th birthday on November 6, 2022, in Slave Lake Alberta.
Ed is survived by his daughters Elaine (Dennis Thompson) and Janice (Michael Holub) and 3 grandson’s Jon, Tyler, and Bradley. They loved Grandpa (Papa) for his great sense of humor and getting into mischief – he spoiled the boys with love. He is also survived by his sister Violet Smith of Lethbridge and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his mother Alice Smith and his father Charles "Harry" Smith and his loving wife of over 60 years, Rosamond Smith (Rose). Harry passed when Ed was 8 and although Ed grew up without a dad, he was the most amazing dad ever for Elaine and Janice. He was always proud to state he got his first job when he was 8 years old chopping and selling wood – he was the young man of the family at a very early age.
Ed met Rose in Swift Current, Saskatchewan and they married on February 23, 1957, in Webb, Saskatchewan. They farmed and ranched in Rural Saskatchewan and Medicine Hat prior to moving to Didsbury in 1964 where they resided for more than 50 years. Ed was an avid volunteer in both Didsbury and Gull Lake where they built a beautiful family cabin. In Didsbury, Ed was an active Kinsmen and K-40 member for many years, where lifelong friendships were made.
Together he and Rose worked hard and played hard and enjoyed many years of worldwide travelling and living their winters in Arizona. They created new friendships everywhere they went.
Ed was best known for his wonderful sense of humor, his gift to tell a great story, and his unique ability for public speaking – he was Master of Ceremonies at many events and venues. He was known for helping a friend in Arizona change oil in their car, only to realize that Ed had hooked up the horn to honk when the signal light was used.
His sense of humor followed him through his job history of working for the railroad, working rigs, in the oil and gas industry in various areas including his final job as EH&S Safety Supervisor “Safety Ed” that took him to Yemen to work before his retirement.
Once retired, Ed ventured into a wonderful career of reciting Cowboy Poetry. He realized that he could learn, write, recite at will over 40 poems which most had hilarious stories that could bring the audience to tears laughing. He visited many retirement parks in Arizona and took to the open mic stage. He attended Poetry Jam Sessions across Canada entertaining people and bringing laughter to their lives. A highlight for Ed was attending a recording studio in Dallas, Texas where he created and recorded his own CD which he gifted to many friends and family. His last public poetry was the Cowboy Poetry Jam session in Stoney Plain at the young age of 80! He continued impromptu performances at local lodges, parties, and Legions.
With his kindness and generous personality Ed endeared himself to number people far and wide. Any and every opportunity he had to make someone smile was taken advantage of you could often hear laughter coming from the group he was with. He enjoyed snowmobiling, curling, boating, fishing, silver smithing and rock and gem jewelry. If you ever stopped in for a visit, you’d be served Ed’s homemade fudge along with the coffee.
He will be sadly missed by many but by no one more than his family.
“A good father grows right along with his children in knowledge, in strength and in love. For all the ways you’ve helped us grow, for holding us close and letting go, for everything you’ve done for us… you know how much we love you dad”.
The last goodbye is the hardest one to say – because this is where our cowboy rides away.
