Obituary of RAYMOND EUGENE SMELSKY

Raymond Eugene Smelsky passed away on August 8, 2024 at the Riverview Palliative Care Unit, at the age of 88 years.  He is survived by his older brother George; daughter Charlene (Rénald) and their children Danäé, Imani and Zuri; and daughter Sheri (James) and their children Annika and Simon. 

Ray was born in Winnipeg but spent his early years moving about.  His father Mitchell (also known as “Mike”) joined the Canadian Army Ordnance Corps during World War II and died in August 1942 during a training exercise in Kingston, Ontario.  Ray was 6 years old at the time. 

Ray became an apprentice in the electrical trade at age 16, earning his Journeyman Certificate of Qualification as a Construction Electrician at age 21.  He worked for 40 years with the Winnipeg School Division, with a promotion in 1990 to the position of Electrical Designer for the Building Department.  Following retirement from the school division, he sought work through the IBEW local 2085 union hall, of which he was a founding member, earning his Sixty-Five Year Member certificate in 2020.  He continued to work in industrial settings until the age of 82.

Ray enjoyed politics and was involved for years with the NDP and later, with the Liberal party.  He loved cooking and was known for his great barbequed meats, often highlighted by his “Smelsky sauce.”  Ray was very athletic in his youth - even swimming across the Red and Assiniboine Rivers and living to tell about the experiences; and he exercised regularly - almost until the end of his life, stopping only when his metastatic cancer sapped his strength.  He loved hockey and was a longstanding Jets fan.  Ray will be remembered for his rather distinctive personality, great barbeque sauce, and love of Canada.

A graveside service was held August 15, 2024.  Special thanks to Ray’s family physician, Dr. Brittney Friesen, whose compassionate care was deeply appreciated. 

If friends so desire, donations may be made in Ray’s name to the Humane Society of Winnipeg or to the Riverview Palliative Care Unit.