Obituary of Randall John Lawrence SMITH

May 3, 1952 – Kingston, Ontario February 16, 2018 – Calgary, Alberta Randy Smith of Calgary, AB, passed away peacefully on Friday, February 16, 2018 at the age of 65 years. Randy was born and grew up in Kingston, ON. In 1974, he graduated from Queens University with his degree in Civil Engineering. Several years later, he followed his dream of moving west to Calgary. It was here that he and Theresa raised their two sons, and here that he embarked on his much loved career with Parks Canada and later with Indian and Northern Affairs Canada. While at Parks, his projects included construction of the Lake Louise Visitors’ Centre, huge flood recovery projects in Waterton, and managing aspects of the G8 Summit in Kananaskis. In later years, he worked closely with Treaty 7 First Nations communities. Construction of the Morley Community School Gymnasium was a project dear to him. He also tackled unglamorous projects such as water treatment plant and sewage lagoon upgrades that were greatly needed and much appreciated in the communities. Randy was easily bored by the mundane and his life was a continual quest to learn new things, master new skills and travel new roads. There was nothing he liked more than a good road trip with family and friends, or on his own. He kept lists of his favourite routes, roadside stops, hotels, camping spots and out of the way restaurants, and then enthusiastically shared details of these discoveries with others. Other passions included restoring old cars and dirt bikes, maintaining ancient vans, motorbiking, wine making, and hunting, fishing and walking with friends. Randy was a skilled craftsman who enjoyed starting new projects, leaving a trail of scattered tools, drywall dust and wood chips in his wake when yet another idea took hold. With Randy around there was never a dull moment. Randy is survived by his sons, Dan and Ryan (Janice), their mother, Theresa Smith, and his grandchildren, Belle and Nate. He will be sadly missed by Kathy Erickson, sister Shawna (Dave Ellis), brothers Stephen (Margaret) and Jack (Diane), sister-in-law Henny and many nieces and nephews in Ontario. He was predeceased by his brother Kerry and his parents John and Irene. A Celebration of Life will be held at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY (Fish Creek, 14441 Bannister Road S.E., Calgary, AB) on Friday, March 9, 2018 at 2:30 p.m. Reception to follow at the funeral home. Condolences may be forwarded through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Canadian Cancer Society, 200 – 325 Manning Rd. N.E., Calgary, AB T2E 2P5 Telephone: (403) 205-3966, email donorservices@cancer.ab.ca. We are grateful for the compassionate care that Randy received while on units 93 and 94 at the Rockyview Hospital, and for the tender care our entire family received during his short but meaningful time at Chinook Hospice. There are angels among us and they were there for Randy. In living memory of Randy Smith, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Fish Creek, 14441 Bannister Road S.E., Calgary, AB Telephone: 403-256-9575.