Obituary of SMITH – William George

August 16, 1922 – August 26, 2009 It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of George Smith on Wednesday, August 26, 2009, in Calgary at the age of 87 years. He is survived by his loving wife Marion of 65 years; son Gary (Wilma) of Saskatoon; three daughters Gloria (Gerry) Blanchard of Regina, Sandra (Riley) Wood of Red Deer and Janice (Don) Thome of Airdrie; grandchildren Shelley (Rick), Scott (Stacey), Shelley (Ian), Chad, Carly, Irena and Zoe; great grandchildren, Breanna, Megan, Dennen and Kira; great great-granddaughter Ayva; sister-in-law Madeline Smith of Moose Jaw, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and families. George was predeceased by his parents Charles and Beatrice; two sisters Irene and Isabelle; brother Reubin and two brothers-in-law Ken Mitchell and Bud Smith. George was born in Spring Valley, Saskatchewan on August 16, 1922 and was raised in Crane Valley, Saskatchewan. At 18 years of age he enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force where he served as an aircraft mechanic until the war ended in 1945. He was stationed in Eastern Canada where he met and married Marion (nee Fagan) in Moncton, New Brunswick on June 3, 1944. George started farming in the Crane Valley area in 1947, farming until June of 1969 when he relocated his family to Red Deer, Alberta, where he worked at Imperial Lumber. George and Marion moved back to Saskatchewan in 1972 returning to Alberta to reside in Airdrie in 1978. Dad’s greatest passion was his love for Mom and his family and received so much enjoyment from his grandchildren. George will be remembered for his sense of humor, his compassion and integrity. George had a special place in his heart for the Saskatchewan Roughriders and would wear his Rider’s hat when watching the games on T.V. Funeral Services will be held at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY’S, Airdrie Funeral Home (300 Towerlane Drive, Airdrie, Alberta) on Tuesday, September 1, 2009 at 1:00 p.m. Forward condolences through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. A special thank you to the caring staff at the Peter Lougheed Hospital and the wonderful staff at the Airdrie Bethany Care Centre. In lieu of flowers memorial donations in memory of George may be made to the Alzheimer’s Society of Calgary, www.alzheimercalgary.com (201-222 58 AVE. S.W. Calgary AB T2H 2S3). In living memory of George Smith, a tree will be planted at Fletcher Park, Airdrie by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Airdrie Funeral Home, 300 TOWERLANE DRIVE, AIRDRIE, AB. Telephone: (403) 948-1100.