Sunday, Oct. 19, Edward Smyth (Ted) passed away peacefully at the Piccadilly Care Centre, Salmon Arm, at the age of 91 years. Ted was predeceased by his wife Sophia in 2002. He is survived by his brother Norman of Burnaby and his sons Errol (Rita) of Mara and Don of Chemanius also his grandchildren Sandra of Calgary, Kenneth of Cambridge Bay and a great-granddaughter, Madison of Calgary.
Ted lived a full life, most of it in the Yukon. His childhood was spent in Vancouver. He left for Telegraph Creek as a telegraph operator in his early 20’s. He spent a number of years in Atlin, eventually marrying a school teacher, Sophia Treichel in 1950. He and Sophia built a motel and cafe on the Alaska Hwy, Mile 596, running it for 14 years. He left for Whitehorse first managing a hotel, then filling the position of credit manager for Hogans.
He retired in 1982 moving to Tagish Lake, building a large cabin with his son Errol. They spent ten wonderful years by the lake raising turkeys, chickens, planting beautiful flowers, veggies in the greenhouse and spending great times on their boat, skidoos, ATV’s, hunting, and cutting wood for their stove.
For health reasons Ted and Sophia moved to Parksville in 1992 getting involved with the lovely folk in the Baptist Church. Again for health reasons they moved to Berwick in Nanaimo in 2001. After Sophia passed away, Ted packed up and came to Mara to live in the cabin in the woods beside Errol and Rita. What a privilege to have him so close. He kept on gardening, burning wood in his stove and doing whatever he could. After a very bad fall, Ted lost a lot of his mobility but did not loose his caring for his family and his sense of humour. He spent some time at Bastion Place and the last year at the Piccadilly Care Centre in Salmon Arm. They gave him such excellent and compassionate care. We thank all who treated him with such kindness also Dr. Beech of Sicamous, the home care workers who came to the cabin, and Martha Roxborough our aunt and friend who was such a support to us. We will miss his encouraging words and his great love of life.
The Memorial Service will be held Wed. Oct. 29, 2 pm at the Haven Common Room.