January 13, 1930 - September 2, 2018
Ron Smyth passed away peacefully at his home in Nanaimo, B.C., from a severe and sudden heart attack on May 21, 2014. Ron was born in Ottawa, Ontario, December 17, 1926, to Clifford
Borthwick Smyth and Ethel Audrey Smyth. Ron spent his youth in Ontario, working on farms and in lumber camps during the summer months. Later, he built and sold cottages in his spare time to raise extra money for his family.
Ron served in the Canadian Infantry Corps from March to September, 1944, and again in the Royal Canadian Army Service Corps from 1950 to 1966. His military service took him to postings in Antwerp, Belgium, Ottawa, Ontario, and Whitehorse, Yukon. He was awarded a Canadian Volunteer Service Medal and clasp, a War Medal, and Canadian Forces Decoration during his time in uniform.
Ron loved hunting, fishing, travel, music, reading military and naval history. He played in dance bands in Ft. Smith, Yellowknife and Whitehorse, and the pipe band in Yellowknife. Evelyn was born in Ottawa, Ontario, January 13, 1930, to Sven Lundberg and Gerda Ida Wagner.
Evelyn passed away peacefully at Nanaimo Seniors Village, Nanaimo, B.C, on September 2, 2018. Evelyn spent her youth in the Ottawa area, teaching Sunday school and attending high school. Evelyn worked for the National Bank and the National Research Council of Canada in Ottawa. After moving north, she worked for the Game Branch in Fort Smith, NWT, and the Purchasing Branch of Government Services in the Yukon.
Evelyn greatly enjoyed painting, reading, dancing, listening to music and spending time at the cabin. She loved teaching and reading to children. She also enjoyed knitting sweaters and winter clothing for her children and grandchildren.
Ron married Evelyn Wagner in 1949 in Ottawa. She joined him in his adventures and travels, and together they raised three sons. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in Whitehorse in 1999. Ron and Evelyn fell in love with the north during Ron's posting to Whitehorse in 1963-64. Ron left military service in 1966 to return to the north, accepting the position of Records Manger for the GNWT, and later, Records Manager for the Yukon Government. They retired from the public service in 1981 to live on Gabriola Island, B.C.
Ron and Evelyn are survived by Ron's brother Gary (Ottawa), his sisters Gaylor Jackson (Ottawa) and Sandra Dusick (Calgary); Their sons Wayne and Steven (Julie) of Whitehorse; Their grandchildren Christine, Renee, Alden and Andrew; and great-grandchildren Randy, Brooklyn, Lucas and Austin. They were predeceased by son Randolph, in 1977.