Kirk Smith

Kirkwood Alan Logan Smith 78 of Dauphin passed away suddenly on October 14 in Winnipeg, MB.

Kirk was a proud leap year baby born February 29th, 1944, to Ivy and Howard Smith of New Westminster where he attended school and participated in a variety of sports. As a youngster he spent many summers visiting his mother’s family on the prairies in Yorkton.

At age 20 Kirk attended RCMP “Depot” Division in Regina and graduated as part of “L” troop 64/65. After graduating he took postings in Dauphin, Winnipegosis, Roblin, and Thompson. He often spoke of his first shift on Halloween night in Dauphin and chasing perpetrators down main street for setting straw bales a blaze. A major highlight of his career with the RCMP was working in Montreal for EXPO 67 providing security for heads of state and dignitaries.

His time with the RCMP formed many friendships which were rekindled in retirement with “L” troop reunions all across Canada. In 1970 Kirk met Blanche and the two were married. After marrying, the two

made Dauphin their permanent home and he started a new career with the Motor Vehicle Branch for the Manitoba Government as a driver examiner and eventually branch manager with which he was employed until his retirement in 1999.

Kirk had great admiration for airplanes and flying; so much so that he built his home looking onto an airstrip. He got pretty good at identifying types of planes flying overhead simply by their sounds. Kirk was a member of the Dauphin Flying Club for many years and earned his private pilots license. His love of all things flying was definitely passed on to his son P.J. who can be heard flying over the community in his own planes. He continued to make frequent treks to the airport on his e-bike to visit with old friends and

make new ones. He was also a dedicated member of his local Kinsmen club and later went

on to be a K-40 member. This was a fellowship that he really cherished being a part of.

Shortly after his retirement in 1999, Kirk saw the opening of the Kinsman Aquatic pool as an opportunity to get back to an activity he had really enjoyed in his youth, swimming. He started attending adult swims each morning and within a year or so he became a certified lifeguard with The Royal Lifesaving Society of Canada. He went on to assist his local pool as a volunteer lifeguard for the next 20 years. Kirk was someone who could be called upon occasionally to help with school groups or to cover breaks for

lifeguards in the morning before attending adult swim himself. In 2014, a fellow guard nominated him for Manitoba’s Lifeguard of the Year and earned the title of oldest lifeguard in the province. Kirk enjoyed working with the younger lifeguards and helping people become more confident in their swimming. His time at the pool became an integral part of his life.

Left to mourn his passing are his wife Blanche, son Patrick (Jennifer), daughter Carrie (Darren) and granddaughters Elin and Lena. Also left to mourn are his brother Clint (Anne), sister Shauna, brothers-in-law Gerry, Wally, Al, sisters-in-law Janine, Monique, Odile, Gisele, 10 nephews and

nieces and their partners and children.

A celebration of Kirk’s life will be held at a later date.

Should friends so desire, donations in Kirk's memory may be made to the Dauphin & District Community Foundation - (Donate Here) or to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada. (Donate Here.)

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