Derek Wayne Smith

Derek passed away at 75 years of age on Tuesday, February 4, 2025 at Southwood Hospice, Calgary, AB, 3 months after being diagnosed with lung cancer.

Derek’s life was one well lived. A witty and jovial man, his happiness was founded on helping faithful friends and neighbours with various tasks. They welcomed his generosity and commitment to sharing his many skills and talents.

He enjoyed nothing more than the key relationships he formed. He was an avid camper and loved his boating trips in the Rockies and BC lakes accompanied by his canine companions Amiga and Mamacita. Derek was an adventurous soul who lived the majority of his adult life in BC and Alberta.

As a teenager, Derek played football and was scouted for the Winnipeg Bluebombers! As a young adult, Derek was a drummer for a local Winnipeg band called “The Inmates”, who recorded a single that was played on the local radio station. His deep enjoyment of music followed him all his life.

Derek was a talented artist, widely respected for his painting and professional stone masonry. Early in his career, he employed his interests in part by opening and operating a frame shop. He would often gift his friends with his beautiful acrylic artwork, scenes of the mountains or horses. Over the years, Derek worked in various capacities, including as a ticket agent and luggage supervisor for Air Canada. An avid traveler, he became a frequent visitor to many countries, especially Mexico.

He is lovingly remembered by his son, Derek Smith (Andrea), of Vernon, BC; his daughter, Olivia Knudson- Smith, of Abbotsford, BC; sister, Margaret McLarty (Keith), of Stoney Mountain, MB and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his father, George Smith; mother, Ellen (Walker) Smith; brother, David Smith and sister, Cheryl Kruk.

A special thanks to Derek’s friends Fran Mason, Charlett Hedman, Tim and Michelle MacDonald for their friendship and care for him.

Many thanks and appreciation to the staff at Alberta Health Services, Home Care and Southwood Hospice Centre.

A donation in Derek’s memory may be made to Southwood Hospice Center, 211 Heritage Drive SE, Calgary, Alberta T2H 1M9.