Obituary of JAMES EDWARD SMITHSON

JAMES EDWARD SMITHSON

December 13, 1946 – December 1, 2020

The family of Jim Smithson is heartbroken to announce his sudden but peaceful passing on the evening of December 1, 2020.  Jim was a devoted and loving husband to his wife Janina who was by his side at the end.  He was a wonderful father, grandfather and brother who will be remembered by family, friends and neighbours alike.

Jim was born December 13, 1946 near Eden, Manitoba on the Honeyman family farm on a cold winter day.  He smiled when he described how the doctor had to come by horse and sleigh to help deliver him the night that he was born.  He had many fond memories about helping out on grandpa and grandma’s farm during the summers and camping out at Clear Lake when he could sneak away from his chores.

Jim was a civil engineer with the Province of Manitoba for most of his career but he first started working for Manitoba Hydro surveying up north.   Jim also spent a few years with Canada Mortgage and Housing.   He was very proud of the little pewter ring which he wore on his finger that symbolized his chosen profession.  At the Water Resources Branch he met many lifelong friends that in retirement became the Friday Boston Pizza Lunch Gang.  Although a quiet man, he had a great sense of humour that he shared with his many friends.  

Jim was a lifetime member of the Legion and looked forward to Wednesday evenings when he’d get together with his friends and his brother Jeff for their weekly game of billiards.  Janina and Jim were fortunate to have been able to travel to many places; some of these bucket list trips were with friends and some trips were where they would meet future lifelong friends. 

He was a kind, generous and supportive father to his children Andrew, Leanna, Scott, and Elaine.  As the kids were growing up, much of the winter was spent driving across Winnipeg and further afield for those early morning hockey practises.  Everyone looked forward to the road trips down to Grand Forks for those legendary hockey tournaments.   Summers were spent cheering the girls from the baseball field sidelines.   Camping in the Whiteshell during the summer was a favourite pastime.

Jim’s true joy came from being a grandpa to Brooklyn, Julia and Myles.  We were fortunate to be able to enjoy annual family vacations at Clear Lake where many great memories were made battling for supremacy of various board games.  The swimming pool at the Elkhorn Resort was always filled with Smithson laughter. 

Jim will be lovingly remembered by his wife Janina; daughters Leanna (Ben) Smithson and Elaine (John) Sokil and son Scott Smithson.  He will also be missed by his precious grandchildren, Brooklyn Rzepczynski and Julia and Myles Sokil.  He will also be forever remembered by his brothers Jeff (Patti) Smithson and Bill (Dawne) Smithson and numerous nieces and nephews.  He was predeceased by his parents Robert Honeyman Smithson and Jean (Betty) Winter and two of his brothers Rick (Cynthia) Smithson and Patrick Smithson.  Jim was also predeceased by his beloved son Andrew and his step-daughter Michelle.

We’d like to give our warmest and most sincere thanks to the paramedics who came to help Jim and the emergency staff at St. Boniface Hospital.  Their work is so very important but so difficult during this pandemic.

A Celebration of Life will be held when gathering together is safe again. Please leave your condolences and share your memories of Jim on his Tribute Wall at Cropo’s website.