Obituary of Richard John Smolak

February 5, 1952 – Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan

May 25, 2023 – Calgary, Alberta

Rick Smolak, beloved husband of Darlene Smolak (nee Scott) of Calgary, AB, passed away on Thursday, May 25, 2023 at the age of 71 years.

Rick was born in Moose Jaw, SK on February 5, 1952, and moved to Calgary, AB, in 1977. Rick graduated from the Saskatchewan Technology Institute as an Electrical Engineering Technologist.

Rick married Darlene in 1976.

Rick accomplished much through his life, a successful sales manager of fire alarms and life safety, spending 45 years with the same company, Edwards, but he was most proud of his family, his children, and grandchildren. He loved reading and puzzles, particularly word puzzles, Sudoku, and solitaire. His most memorable vacation was in 2022 when the whole family went to Disneyland, however, when asked he always said he loved Jamaica.

He will be most remembered for his incredible work ethic, his sense of humor, and his love of family and friends.

Besides his loving wife, Rick is survived by his two daughters, Tara Smolak and Dana Smolak; his son Jordan Smolak; his two grandchildren, Ashton Smolak, and Caden Smolak all of Calgary, AB. Rick is also survived by his two sisters and three brothers-in-law, Christine (Phil) Sandham of Regina, SK, Joanne (Colin) Barnes of Moose Jaw, SK, Rob Adams of Moose Jaw, SK, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Rick was predeceased by parents, Jan and Czeslawa Smolak, father and mother-in-law, Calder and Ida Scott, and his sister Janet Adams.

A Celebration of Rick’s Life will be held on Saturday, June 17, 2023 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the New Brighton Community Centre, 2 New Brighton Drive SE, Calgary, AB. Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed here.

If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Alberta, 200, 119 – 14^th Street N.W., Calgary, AB T2N 1Z6 Telephone: (403) 264-5549, www.heartandstroke.ca.

In living memory of Rick Smolak, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Deerfoot South, 12281 – 40th Street SE, Calgary, AB T2Z 4E6, Telephone: 403-203-0525.