Brian Gordon Smith

Brian Gordon Smith passed away July 15 at the Boundary Trails Hospital.

He is survived by his loving wife Sandra, son David and daughter Diane Baete (Blair).  He also leaves two brothers Lyall (Linda) of Brandon, their children Kristin (Steve), Justin (Melodie), Kelly (Jordan) and Kerri (Shawn) and their families. Barry (Shirley) of Winnipeg,  their children Jeffrey (Anna Marie), Jennifer and son Nicholas, Stacey (Jason),  sisters in law Karen (Brian Grier) and Delores McLennan and their families and many cousins including Malcolm (Cathy) and James.

Brian was pre-deceased by his parents Gordon and Doris Smith, Uncle Clifford.

Brian was born in Altona on August 26, 1942. Grew up on the family farm, He went to school in Emerson and later took Diploma in Agriculture at  the University of Manitoba , where he met great friends who stayed connected over these many years. Brian and Sandra met at a dance in 1964, and were married in 1966.

Brian was always a farmer at heart.  He loved the land, and could not wait to get to the field in the spring, or get the combine ready in the fall for harvest.  Brian always enjoyed his neighbors and valued their friendship. Many suppers were a little late because of roadside visits that went longer than intended. 

After Brian retired from grain farming he worked for Parent Seeds at St. Joseph, the Emerson Golf Course and later RM of Franklin and Cargill. 

Brian liked to keep busy and over the years developed an interest in beekeeping. He always said that one of the best side benefits of beekeeping was meeting great people who shared their knowledge and became friends.  Brian also developed a love of woodworking and enjoyed making furniture for the family and turning pens.    

Brian liked to travel as well.  Trips to White Lake almost every summer, and had fond memories of a family trip west in a rented motorhome. Probably one of his favorite memories was a trip to Peru with daughter Diane. Brian was a huge football fan and enjoyed going to Bomber games.

A graveside service for the family will be held at Lakeside Cemetery on July 30, friends and neighbors are invited to the Emerson Complex for lunch and memories with the family at 2:00 P.M.

The family thank those friends who telephoned or stopped to visit  him at the hospital.

The family would also like to thank the wonderful nurses and staff at Boundary Trails and Dr. Woelk for their kindness and excellent care.

In lieu of flowers friends may make a donation to CancerCare Manitoba or to a charity of their choice.