May 4, 2018
Robert Hugh Smith, 94, of Elnora, AB, passed away peacefully on May 4, 2018, at the Three Hills hospital surrounded by those he made music with, lived for and loved.
He was predeceased by his wife and partner of 56 years, Mary (Burns) Smith; brothers Burt and Stan Smith; sister Dorothy (Smith) Willison; and parents Ethel (Dolly) and Andrew Gordon Smith.
Bob was born on the family farm near Elnora in 1923. At age 18 he joined the Air Force during World War II. He met and married Mary Burns, who was serving in the Women's Division of the Air Force in Victoria, BC. On discharge, he and his brother-in-law opened Jim and Bob's Garage at Ma-me-o Beach, Pigeon Lake, AB.
In 1949 he went to work at Elnora Motors and in 1954 signed up for another 5 year stint in the Air Force. Following this he bought into Elnora Motors and ran it until 1974 when he opened Smith Repair, the welding and machine shop he owned until finally retiring in 1998 at the age of 75.
Community was important to Bob, and he spent time on the school board and 16 years on Village Council, ten of which were as Elnora's Mayor.
He had an interest in aircraft and at the age of 63 got his pilot's license and built his first of two Bushmaster Ultra-Light airplanes.
Music was a great part of Bob's life and he played his accordion often with friends and family, and various bands right up to his final gig 21 days before his death.
Bob is survived by his children Audrey (Richard) McMullen, Patricia Smith (Paul Potter), Hugh Smith (Beth Polushin) and Brent Smith. Sadly his youngest son Timothy Smith, died 2 days after Bob.
He also leaves behind six grandchildren, Tracee (Pat) Rees, Erin (Kevin) Ramsay, Paul (Melaena) Trottier, Dan Trottier, Nicola (Kevin) Ford, and Danica (Chris) Marlow; and ten great grand children.
A funeral will be held jointly with Bob's son Tim on Monday May 14, 2018, at 2 pm at the Elnora Community Hall.
Donations to the Elnora Fire Department are welcome.