Ronald Bruce Macleod Smith, 54

RONALD BRUCE MACLEOD SMITH (SMITTY)
It is with great love and wonderful memories that Ron’s family sadly announces his sudden passing on Saturday, September 26, 2009 at the age of 54 years. As a devoted family man, Ron was a wonderful husband to Christine and adoring father to his son Brock and daughter Ashley.
They were the centre of Ron’s world; his face would light up whenever he spoke of them. He was immensely proud of them both and excited for what lay ahead in their lives. Also remaining to forever cherish Ron’s memory are; his sister Deb (Bob), brother Douglas (Cheryl), brothers-in-law, Borys (Rachel) and George (Mary), along with numerous nieces and nephews. He will also be dearly missed by his loyal companions, Spanky and Coco. He was predeceased by his parents JR and Lois. Born in Montreal in 1955, moving to Cornwall as a teenager, Ron then moved to Rainy River where he met and married Christine.
They celebrated their 29th wedding anniversary on July 26. Ron was very community spirited and volunteered countless hours coaching hockey, including Brock and Ashley’s teams.
In recent years, he coached the Dakota C.C. girls hockey team in St. Vital; he loved mentoring his girls .
CN Rail, where he worked for 32 years, was Ron’s second family. Truly dedicated to his career, Ron was well known for his wicked (and sometimes outrageous) sense of humour; he loved to make people laugh. Kind-hearted, generous and young at heart; Smitty made a point of surrounding himself with positive people. As a wonderful neighbour, he was always there to lend an ear or a hand, kids gravitated to him, bonding with him instantly.
His presence on the street will be deeply missed; his memory will live on, warmly remembered by all. While we are filled with great sadness, we will try to do as Ron would want: remember him with a smile and not tears, enjoy life to the fullest and to be there to support and love each other. He would wish that for us all. A celebration of Ron’s life was held on Wednesday, September 30, 2009 at the Westwood Community Church.
Special thanks to the staff at St. Boniface Hospital Cardiac and Emergency wards. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Manitoba, 6-200 Donald Street, Winnipeg, MB, R3L 0K6. Christine, Brock and Ashley would like to thank all our friends for their expressions of sympathy, prayers, but most of all for your support.