James SMITH

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SMITH: James “Alex” Smith formerly of Swan River, MB passed away at the Brandon Regional Health Center on May 30th, 2012 at the age of 84. Alex was born in Swan River on the family farm near Lidstone, April 23rd, 1928 to Guildford and Vella Smith. He moved away from the farm at the age of 18 and began a series of jobs that included carpentry, logging, dairy farming and working on construction projects in the far north. He married Vivian Servant at the age of 20 and they had two children, Ken and Charyle. Later, in 1956, Alex married Ellenora Wells with her daughter Cindy and they moved to Swan River where they had three more children, Curtis, Barb and Harley. They raised all six children together and were married for 38 year until Ellenora’s passing in 1995. Alex later married Ruth Aagard and together ran Smith’s (Aagard’s) market garden east of Brandon. After Ruth’s passing, Alex met his current wife, Marguerite Martin, in 2005. They travelled and lived happily together in Brandon until his passing. Alex loved the outdoors and enjoyed camping and fishing and hunting. He also loved woodworking and carpentry and even built the family home in Swan River. In 1962, Alex had a major life changing accident and lost all the fingers of his right hand and nearly his life. Alex recovered and went back to school and completed teachers college in 1964. Alex taught at Duncan school in Swan River and Swan Valley Junior High for 23 years before retiring. He was also very fond of gardening and several sports such as hockey, baseball, curling and golf. He coached several young sports teams and helped to organize the Manitoba Senior Olympics. Alex was an active member of the Elks lodge in Swan River for many years and served on the church council at the Redeemer Lutheran Church in Brandon. During Swan Rivers 125th he was recognized by the Lieutenant Governor General for his volunteer work. Alex’s favorite sport was curling and was proud of the fact that even into his 84th winter he was able to get down in the hack and curl without a stick. Alex was loved by many friends and family. He is dearly missed but he lives on in the memories of all that loved him. Alex is survived by his Children Charyle (Garry) Holland and children Rita, Lloyd and Lisa and their families; Cindy (Bob) Harrison and children Selena and Kaylie; Curtis Smith and children Alyshia, Sherefa and Vallon; Barb (Les) Sikala and children Jarod and Chris and their families; Harley (Susan) Smith and children Brayden and Jaucelyn; Wife Marguerite Martin; Sisters Nina Wallace and Sheila Breland as well as many nieces and nephews and friends that Alex held dear. Alex is predeceased by his parents Guildford and Vella Smith, son Ken Smith, wife Ellenora Smith, wife Ruth Smith and sister Irene Turton. Alex was laid to rest in Birchwood Cemetery in Swan River, MB on June 9th, 2012.

As published in Brandon Sun on Jun 16, 2012