John Smith — Brooks

John Robert Inglis Smith February 18, 1945-October 3, 2018 John was born in Windsor, Nova Scotia, where he was raised on his family’s apple orchard and raised all the ruckus he could down in Nova Scotia. He married his high school sweetheart, Marilynn, and he worked on the Gypsum boats as they started their family together. He then started his own trucking company in Nova Scotia before relocating to Brooks, AB in 1979. In Brooks, John worked for JoAnn Trucking, Smith Trucking, and Volker Stevin before returning to Smith Trucking where he spent his remaining working years. Once retired, John spent all of his time with his family, which he loved dearly, making meals and spreading cheer with phone calls and visits and always a warm smile and a big hug. John was predeceased by his parents, Charles and Carrie Smith of Nova Scotia and grandson Christopher Smith of Brooks, Alberta. John is survived by the love of his life, Marilynn, his four children, Greg Smith, Derek (Leslie) Smith, Heather (Mel) Varley, Trevor (Melissa) Smith, 15 wonderful grandchildren and 12 cherished great grandchildren as well as his sister Judy (Lloyd) Zinck of Nova Scotia and numerous other beloved relatives and friends. John Loved Life and was always the “Life of the Party”! He was a great man who gave great love to all who knew him and was very generous, he would give the shirt off his back and probably did a time or two. John was greatly loved and will be missed and fondly remembered always. Marilynn and her family wish to thank, Brooks Home Care and the Palliative Home Care for their love and support, as well as a special thank you to Marina, their granddaughter, who took on the role of assisting Marilynn in the day to day care giving of her Papa and has been an amazing support for the family. A special thank you also to all of the other immediate family and grandchildren who came and spent so much time with Papa, bringing every smile to his face, right up until his last day with us. If friends desire, memorial tributes can be made to the Alberta Children’s Hospital. In lieu of a funeral service, there will be a Celebration of John’s Life, to be announced at a later date.