Dan passed away after a courageous battle with cancer at the Lillooet District Hospital at the age of 70. Dan was born in Rose Valley, Saskatchewan and moved to Alberta then British Columbia at a young age, living in various communities throughout his life which included Prince George, Clinton, Kamloops, Bridge Lake and Lillooet. His accomplishments and experiences were many and varied – rancher, carpenter, business owner, school bus driver and traveler as well as a member of both the Royal Canadian Legion and the Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks, including a term as the Exalted Ruler of Lodge #467. Dan was a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend – full of life, especially enjoying gatherings with family and friends.
Dan is survived by his loving wife Lynn, and their combined family which included his daughter Ashley (Dan) Gainor of Fort St. James, step son Bill (Terri) Whitwick of Prince George, Lynn’s daughters Debbie (Kirby) Swaenepoel of Penticton & Donna (Mark) Stathers of Kelowna, as well as ten grandchildren and three great grandchildren. He also leaves behind his mother Ann Smith, Aunt Jean and Uncle Tom and sister Sheila (Andrew) Fedirko of Tisdale Sask., brother Harvey of Rose Valley, Sask. and sister Sharon (Bob) Jordan of Kamloops, BC,. Mother-in-laws Laverne Munson of Lillooet and Dorothy MacLeod of Williams Lake, brother/sister-in-laws Bob (Kitty) Hamilton, Keith (Anita) Hamilton, Barb (Fred) Watkinson, Jeanette Munson (Hugh), Alberta (Sylvia) Munson, Helen (Ron) Stavast, Dave (Barb) Dew & Linda (Pete) Verhoeven as well as numerous nieces and nephews, cousins and their families.
Dan was predeceased by his father Edward Smith (1979) and sister Shelley Smith (1961).
A celebration of Dan’s life will take place on Saturday January 14, 2012 at the Lillooet Elks Hall at 1 pm. If friends or family desire, in lieu of flowers, donations in Dan’s memory can be made to either the Lillooet District Hospital Foundation or the Canadian Cancer Foundation.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank the many friends and relatives, as well as Dr. Ian Routley and medical staff who visited and supported Dan and our family over the past 21 months.