Donald "Murray" Smail
Posted Oct 5, 2022 | 4:35 PM
It is with great sadness the family announces the passing of Donald “Murray” Smail, late of Prince Albert, SK formerly of Christopher Lake, SK on September 28th, 2022, at the age of 99 years. Donald Murray Smail was born May 23rd, 1923, in Turtleford, SK to John (Jack) & Jennie Smail. In his teenage years, Murray assisted his parents as a linesman with the telephone exchange for Speers and Turtleford. Then, Murray enlisted in the RCAF on June 18th, 1941, and was discharged on August 14th, 1945. He told us kids lots of stories of being in France, Belgium, Germany, Holland, and the U.K. Murray began work with the Saskatchewan Dairy & Poultry Pool in 1945 and had a wide range of positions in the plant and office, covering purchasing, sales, and production of dairy and poultry products. Mom and Dad were married on July 1st, 1948. Dad said it was so they would have a holiday on the anniversary. They moved to Prince Albert, SK in 1953 with Dad as a salesman for Purity Dairy Company and later became the office manager. Continuing in that post until 1973. He went to the Dairy Pool in Saskatoon to head up the industrial milk program. Shortly after he was appointed office manager. In 1978 they moved to Weyburn, where he ended his dairy career as Branch Manager in 1987. Throughout his dairy years, he was heavily involved with the Associated Canadian Travellers. Jack and Wendy remember folding letters and rolling coins from the amateur hours that were held to raise funds to fight tuberculosis. Mom & Dad retired to a brand-new home on the beach at Christopher Lake in October of 1987. Dad took up sailing and was an avid curler. He usually got in four games a week. He did 5BX exercises daily so he would stay in shape for curling. He was very active in the Christopher Lake Legion, the local Housing Authority, and the Anglican Church. Mom passed away in 1997 but Dad continued to live at the lake until health problems forced him to move back to Prince Albert in 2015. He resided in Caleb Village until May of this year when more health complications forced him into a nursing home. A Graveside Service was held for Murray on Saturday, October 1st, 2022, at 3:30 PM at St Christopher’s Anglican Cemetery, Christopher Lake, SK. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you donate in Murray’s name to the Christopher Lake Royal Canadian Legion Branch #159, 120 Main Street, Christopher Lake, SK, S0J 0N0. Condolences can be sent to the family on our website at www.mackenziechapel.ca. Arrangements in care of MacKenzie Chapel & Crematorium. Brian & Bev Stobbs, Mark Gyoerick – Mel Curle. 306.763.8488.
- Date : 2022-09-28
- Location : Prince Albert, SK formerly of Christopher Lake, SK