Smith – Verner Nicholas (Vern) Smith, beloved husband of Helen, passed away in Calgary on June 29th, 2003 at the age of 83 years.
Born in Whitlaw, Alberta Vern came to Brooks in 1944 and had resided here since. He and Helen Burke were married here on July 20th, 1947. Vern had worked at McCabe Grain Company before apprenticing as a Watch Maker at Ellik’s Jewelry from 1949 to 1951. He worked at Modern Auto from July of 1951 to February of 1971 when he and Helen purchased Lew Pearson’s Jewelry Store and began Smith Jewelry which they operated until retiring in 1985. Vern was very active in St. Alban’s Anglican Church having served on Vestry and was a member of the Choir. He loved both golfing and curling and had been involved in the construction of the original golf course in Brooks. Vern held the oldest membership at the club. He had been a member of the Brooks Kinsmen and the K 40’s. Vern will be lovingly remembered for being a good friend.
He was predeceased by his father Fred; his mother Susan; brothers Ralph, Stan and Cecil and his mother and father-in-law Zelda and George Burke. He is survived by his loving family, wife Helen of Brooks; son Dean and his wife Sherri of Camrose; daughter Terry Fairhurst and her husband Clint of Brooks; daughter Holly Finn and her husband Michael of Airdrie; grandchildren Tylar (Rosella) Smith, Shelly Smith, Jesse Koza, Brandi Koza, Greg (Jessie) Fairhurst, Brian Fairhurst, Melissa Finn and Sandy Finn; great grandchildren Mackenzie and Bailey Smith, Adrian Smith and Adam and Brandon Beck; sisters-in-law Alma Smith and Lorrie (Alf) Aasen, mother-in-law Lewella Burke and nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held at 10:30 AM on Thursday, July 3rd from St. Alban’s Anglican Church, Brooks. Rev. Ken Wells officiated. Honorary Pallbearers were all of Vern’s many good friends. Active Pallbearers were Tylar Smith, Greg Fairhurst, Brian Fairhurst, Norman Aasen, Rod Aasen and Doug Aasen.
In memory of Vern, if friends desire, memorial tributes may be made to either St. Alban’s Anglican Church Memorial Fund, 240 – 1st Street West, Brooks T1R 0T2 or Brooks and District Health Foundation, Bag 300, Brooks T1R 1B3. Arrangements in care of SMITH FUNERAL HOME, Brooks. Telephone 362-4636 or 1-866-362-4652.
