Philip "Smokey" Smith

We want to express our sincere gratitude to those who supported Smokey in his wish to remain in his own home. Thank you to Staff at Beatrice Wilson Home Care Program,  OCN Elders Program, Maulik Patel and Smokey's good Kiche neighbours, Sam Hester, Pearly and Linda Stevens.  Your availability, dedication, caring and support has meant so much on this journey.  Dad was the oldest of three siblings born to Harry Smith and Jean Smith (née Bignell). He was named Murray "Philip" Smith, but everyone knew him as “Smokey”.  His siblings are Jim and Norma and his younger paternal siblings are Susie and Harry Jr. 

As a child, Smokey spent his time with his Mooshum and Kookum, Cornelius and Florence Bignell (née Thomas), surrounded by a large extended family of aunts, uncles, and cousins.  He knew the Cree language.

Smokey was a survivor of three residential schools in his childhood and youth starting at age 10, Brandon, Birtle and McKay Residential School in Dauphin.  Because of their shared experiences, friends were like brothers, including Bernie Young, Zacc Moore, Nathan McGillvary and many others.  In his younger years, he was a great hockey player.  

Smokey was employed in various jobs including Diamond Drilling with his dad in Alaska and in the housing department of several Indigenous organizations.

Smokey enjoyed hunting and fishing and caught his first moose at 14 with his Uncle. He had an excellent sense of humour described as “Smith humour” that our family is known to have. He is also the one who named the Otineka Mall when it was built in 1975. 

He is predeceased by his mom Jean Smith (1965); father Harry Smith (2008); brother Jim Smith (2024); nephews Edward Keesickquayash (2017) and Jaxon Smith (1991); and many extended family members and friends.  His paternal grandparents were Louisa Ballantyne, (formerly Smith, née Beardy) and James Smith.

Smokey is survived by his pride and joy, #1 daughter, Jacqueline; her mother, Donna; sisters Norma Beauchamp, Susan Dowan (Joe); brother Harry North; sister-in-law, Debra Smith; and his last surviving aunt Ann Goodman; many nieces and nephews, and extended family.  If we forgot anyone it was not intentional.