On the passing of Councilor Roy Smyth

Roy Edward Smyth (1940-2012)

Chris Davis

It is with great sadness that we mark the passing of Roy Smyth. He was in his 9th year as a Councillor for the Town of Pincher Creek when poor health forced his retirement from that position earlier this month.  "It's not just a loss to his family, it's a loss to the community," said Mayor Ernie Olsen.  He was very passionate.  He was on 3 or 4 or 5 boards for different things... he was on the community hall board, the museum board, he was always on the go.  Seventy two years old, and still running."


Roy Smyth was cut from an uncommon cloth, yet maintained a common touch.  In the relatively brief time I knew him (about 7 years or so) I was impressed by his unwavering honesty, his force of character, and his commitment to community and to doing what he felt was right.  His questions could be piercing, his desire and willingness to understand the answers provided always impressed me, even when those questions were about modern marvels like computers and the internet, and his sense of humor touched me the most - it was wry and quick witted and often came at unexpected moments, in unexpected ways.    

Excerpts from Roy Smyth's official obituary (which can be read in full by clicking here):

• Raised on the Smyth family farm near Cowley.
• Married Lois Pirie on September 7, 1962.
• Ran Cowley Feed and Seed Service with Lois from 1966 to 1987, when the business was destroyed by fire.
• Became a licensed funeral director in 1994.
• Opened Pincher Funeral Chapel circa 2000.
• Sold the business in 2011 to Snodgrass Funeral Homes but continued on as manager until poor health forced his retirement last month.

Roy is survived by Lois, his wife of 50 years, his son Douglas (Gwen) and their children Colton and Rianna, his daughter Mandy (David) Olekshy, all of Calgary, his aunt Selma Tustian and step-mother Marie Smyth, of Pincher Creek and his sister-in-law Marion Smyth of Cowley. He was predeceased by his mother Ila in 1968, his father Eddie in 1999 and his brothers Bobby in 1964 and Jim in 2011.

A funeral service will be held at Foothills Community Church with Pastor Paul Sharp officiating, on Friday December 21, 2012 at 1:30 p.m. with reception following. Those wishing to remember Roy with a donation might want to consider Canadian Cancer Society, Heart & Stroke Foundation or World Vision.

Related link: www.snodgrassfuneralhomes.com