Clemence ROLES

Obituary of Clemence ROLES

March 14, 1921 – April 7, 2020

Clem Roles of Calgary, Alberta passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 7, 2020 at the age of 99.

Clem grew up on a farm southeast of Bruno, Saskatchewan. His schooling was interrupted for three years after Grade 8, at which time he went to work on the family farm. However, his yearning for more education prevailed, and after two years of correspondence courses and a year at Nutana Collegiate in Saskatoon he completed Grade 12 in 1942 at the age of 21. He then went on to obtain degrees in electrical and mechanical engineering from the Universities of Manitoba (1946) and Saskatchewan (1947).

In August 1947, he married Emily "Joan" Warburton of Owen Sound, Ontario, a business college graduate whom he had met there the previous summer while working at William Kennedy and Sons. The couple took up residence in Saskatoon, where they founded an agricultural machinery company, Smith-Roles Limited, which they operated for 40 years. The company got its start selling surplus WWII aircraft generators with plans farmers could follow to make them into welders. Clem later wrote a book for farmers and tradesmen on all aspects of welding.

From humble beginnings, Smith-Roles gradually expanded and by the 1970s was manufacturing a wide array of farm equipment in a modern plant and foundry located in northwest Saskatoon. The firm had 300 employees, 2000 farmer consignment agents and dealers across North America, and offices and warehouses in Ontario, North Dakota and Kansas.

Some of the innovations commercialized by the company were developed in collaboration with the University of Saskatchewan. Clem was a strong believer in education and in 2000 he and Joan established a scholarship endowment fund for engineering students, which continues today.

Clem was a resourceful person and a problem solver. For him, where there was a will there was a way. In 1985 he won the Saskatoon Engineering Society’s Engineer of the Year Award. He was also a lifetime member of the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Saskatchewan. Respected for his public speaking ability and passion for business, he taught the Dale Carnegie sales course for several years. He also served on the boards of various public companies, such as Agra Industries.

Clem was an avid reader, particularly of newspapers and trade magazines, and was a lover of history, Shakespeare, poetry and languages. He also liked bird watching and art collecting, and was a patron of the Mendel Art Gallery. He travelled, but also loved to be at home where he could be with family and socialize with friends and neighbours. He swam regularly at the YMCA until the age of 89 and on Sundays his mellow voice could be heard in the congregation at St. Paul’s Cathedral. Clem was a man of principle and generosity, and a role model for his children and grandchildren.

Clem will be remembered by his children, Jane (Chuck) Weitzel of Mesa, Arizona, Allan (Brenda) Roles of Calgary, Alberta, and Lynn (Bob) Stewart of Ottawa, Ontario; grandchildren, Bradley, Matthew (Krystal), Jessica, Jeremy, Michael, Eric and Glen (Eva); and great-grandchildren, Christian and Gavin. He is also survived by his sister Helen Keehborn of Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. Clem was predeceased by his wife in 2013 and previously by three sisters and six brothers.

A recorded Memorial Mass and Interment will take place at Sacred Heart Church and Columbarium (1307 14th Street South West, Calgary, AB) on Friday, April 24, 2020 at 10:00 a.m.

Memorial donations may be made to the Father Lacombe Care Foundation, 270 Providence Blvd SE, Calgary AB T2X 0V6. Telephone: (587) 393-1353. www.flccfoundation.ca.

In living memory of Clem Roles, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area in Calgary.

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