Captain James (Jim) Smith

               
Captain James (Jim) Benjamin Smith
 
Peacefully, Captain James (Jim) Benjamin Smith, aged 78 years passed away at the Health Sciences Centre on February 13, 2019 after a long struggle with complications from diabetes. Jim is survived by his wife Wilma, her daughter and husband Robin (Barry) and his children and spouses. Deanna (Mark), Kevin (Tammi), Shelly, Brad (Rhonda) and Ryan (Misty); siblings, Doris, Audrey, Barbara and Leonard.  Jim is also survived by his grandchildren Derek, Morgan, Zach, Ashley, Cal, Rachel, Justice (J.J.), Peyton, Levi, Greg, Brittany, Cori-Lynne, Brenton, Alexis, Melanie, Brandi, Kara, Katie, Kailey and Dale.  Jim is predeceased by his wife Gloria; brother Roy and parents Samuel and Sybil.

            Jim was born in Selkirk, Manitoba and raised on the family farm near Breezy Point where he continued to visit, tinkering with and fixing things all his life. His children described him as a man with a plan.  Jim and his siblings are passionate story tellers and they share many fond memories of growing up on the farm where they worked hard and played. Jim and his siblings remained close through-out his life and we thank our Aunties deeply for the support and care they gave him during his illness.

            Captain James B. Smith loved his career as Marine Captain. His work on the waters included Captaining the River Rouge and piloting boats towing barges up and down the Mackenzie River in northern Canada. He retired early but was drawn back to the waters. He returned to the River Rouge again and then moved on to working for the Berens River First Nation towing supplies on barges on Lake Winnipeg. He was very proud of the book Prairie Schooners, that captured his journey on lake Winnipeg.  He eventually retired again at age 70. His love of the water was captured in our annual family outings to watch the Red River break up in the spring.  When the waters were frozen Jim kept busy with other work, building, driving and fixing he was a man with many skills.

            Jim’s eyes and face would light up whenever any of his grandkids were around. He always had a lap for them to sit on. Every Spring break for the last 20 years Jim could be found surrounded by grandkids at a hotel pool with a water slide where he would be the adult who spent the night.  “Smiley” was his nickname, he loved to laugh and he was never far from his Dog “Tinker”

            The memorial service will be held at Gilbart Funeral Chapel, Selkirk, Manitoba, Thursday February 21st at 1:00 p.m.. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Canadian Diabetes Society.

Condolences, pictures and videos may be left on his tribute wall at www.gilbartfuenralhome.com

Gilbart Funeral Home, Selkirk in care of arrangements.

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