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J. WAYNE SMOOK
Born: Mar 18, 1959
Date of Passing: Jul 07, 2024
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or MemoryJ. WAYNE SMOOK
It is with profound sadness we announce the sudden passing of Wayne on Sunday, July 7, 2024, at the age of 65.
Wayne will be greatly missed by his loving wife of 43 years, Paulette; son, Blair (Shelby) and his precious princess granddaughters, Stella and Bria.
He leaves behind his mother, Mildred; brothers, Dennis (Gwen), Brian (Jennifer); sister, Wendy (Michael); and sister-in-law, Elsie; brothers-in-law, Terry (Janet), Kim (Brenda), Brent (Mary-Ann), Lyle, Dale; sister-in-law, Karla (Gary) and Darlene as well as many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and good friends. Wayne was predeceased by father, Steve; brother, Larry; and niece, Tammy.
Affectionately known as Gauge, Wayne followed his love for flight by securing his private pilots license at 16. He then attended the University of North Dakota Centre for aerospace studies in Grand Forks, ND completing a Bachelor of Science Business Administration majoring in Airport Administration. While at UND, he was the founder of the student Aviation Management Association that still exists today. From there, he started his career at Transport Canada in 1979, then with Winnipeg International Airport where he held many different titles.
Moving to Calgary, Alberta in 1990, Wayne began his long career in aviation management with the Calgary Airport Authority from 1990 to 2008 where he went on to become the Senior Director, Airside Operations and Environment. During this time, he attended the Banff School of Advanced Management, was on the board of directors for the Canadian Airport Council and helped direct many other aviation councils. He then ventured out on his own in 2009 by establishing JWS Airport Consulting Services which led to his final position of COO/VP Airport services with Executive Flight Centre in 2011 before retiring in 2015. His career gave him the opportunity to travel the world to many different countries.
Wayne was very dedicated, accepting the challenges of bettering companies he worked for. He was a man of honesty, a great listener, problem solver, calm, cool and organized.
Wayne had a great love for family. He was a dedicated father coaching Blair in baseball and hockey for many years. Every weekend travelling to hockey tournaments all over Alberta. Always making sure to impart Blair with words of wisdom. He also loved to treat Paulette with flowers on many occasions, to the point of becoming the florist’s best customer. His greatest pride were his two granddaughters. He loved to babysit, play and spoil them.
Wayne enjoyed many sports including golf, fastball, hardball, hockey and curling. If not playing, he would be watching them on TV.
Once retired, Wayne enjoyed spending the winters in Arizona, golfing, site-seeing and making many new friends.
Special thanks to the Doctors and Nurses at the Mona Libin unit at the Foothills Hospital for your excellent care and compassion.
Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, you are welcome to donate to the Libin Cardiovascular Institute of Calgary.
We love you always and forever. You will be forever in our hearts.
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 19, 2024, Jul 19, 2024
Condolences & Memories (6 entries)
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Deepest Sympathy to the passing of Wayne and the Smook Family. Wayne was my Cousin. I would visit Summer with my Mom and Dad for Family visits. I spent time with Wayne at his Dad's Service Station leading into Vita. Wayne took me to the family farm. Even gave me a ride in his Chevy 350 Nova when he was of age to drive. These memories I will always cherish - Posted by: Ron Smook (Cousin) on: Sep 21, 2024
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Condolences to the family on Wayne's passing. The Wepruk family were former neighbors to Wayne's family in Vita. - Posted by: Stella Woroniuk (Wepruk) (Friend, former schoolmate) on: Aug 09, 2024
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My families deepest sympathies to Paulette, Blair and family on the passing of Wayne. We worked at Calgary Airport Authority together for 18 years. Wayne loved airports, airplanes and family but in reverse order. - Posted by: Frank Jakowski (Colleague and friend) on: Jul 26, 2024
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Paulette & family. We were so very saddened to hear of Wayne’s passing. Thinking of you all at this very sad time. Sending you our deepest sympathies. - Posted by: Iris Goodfellow (School Classmate ) on: Jul 19, 2024
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A truly wonderful and loving person who will be fondly remembered. Wayne and Paulette were a team, uniting early in there lives. Wayne was very active in college activities while remaining active also in the family business. He left UND to serve the aviation industry as a true leader and businessman. Taken too soon. Tailwinds and fair skies, my friend. - Posted by: ALLEN KITTLESON (Friend) on: Jul 19, 2024
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Breaks our hearts to write this note to Wayne's family, loved ones and friends. We always called him Waynie and we would enjoy watching him and my brother Neil playing in our back yard or his..Neil is no longer with us and we know in our hearts that Neil welcomed his best friend with open arms in Heaven. The memories of the two of them will forever remain in our hearts. Waynie is with Jesus and his angels and his loved ones who are no longer with us. Heaven has been blessed by another very special angel called Wayne. Saying goodbye would be the hardest thing to say, so this is not goodbye as someday we will all meet again. Rest in peace our dear friend. God bless you and your loved ones. Sylvia and Gordon Bowen in Winnipeg. - Posted by: Sylvia and Gordon Bowen, (Long time friend of Wayne,s family in Vita M.B.) on: Jul 19, 2024