SMITH - George “Al” Albert Smith, 89, April 1920 – October 2009, resident of Medicine Hat, AB. After a courageous battle with cancer, Al passed away peacefully at the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital on Monday, October 5, 2009. Al was born and raised in Paradise Hill, SK. He was the oldest of four children born to the late William and Martha Smith and was the beloved husband of Margaret "Peggy" Smith (Rolfe) for just over 65 years. In 1941, Al joined the RCAF, first as a mechanic and then transferred to the aircrew. He graduated as an instructor and spent the rest of the war years instructing at various bases in Canada. When stationed in Regina, Al met his future bride, Peggy, and they were married in 1944 in Regina. After the war, Al applied for a pilot's position with Karels Air Service in Swift Current and by 1947 he had purchased the Air Service and renamed it to Smith Airways. Over the course of the following 30 years, Smith Airways was respected as a superior Air Service in Southwest Saskatchewan. It was a place where local pilots and travelers gathered and the coffee pot was always on. Flying was Al's passion and he logged 30,000 hours as a pilot. Highlights over the course of his flying career included The Saskatchewan and International Flying Farmers Airport Operator of the year awards. He was a Director for two years with the Air Transport Board of Canada and later received an honorary life membership in 1977. Al was inducted into the Saskatchewan Aviation Hall of Fame in 1999. He had the opportunity to fly many interesting and famous people all over North America during his flying career. His most memorable passenger was Neil Armstrong - who was among a group of fishing enthusiasts that chartered a flight to Al's fishing lodge in Northern Saskatchewan. Al treasured the picture of the lunar module ascending from the surface of the moon sent to him by Neil and signed "From a friend and fellow aviator." After retirement, Al and his wife spent many years as "snowbirds" in sunny Arizona and travelled extensively throughout North America. Many of their trips included family and treasured time spent with their grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Al was also an avid fisherman, golfer, dancer and enjoyed many hours on his ham radio. He was a long time member of the Masonic Lodge and Shrine Club. Al will be missed by his family and friends and will always be remembered for his colourful stories and terrific sense of humour which he never lost....even at the end. Al is survived by his wife, Margaret "Peggy" Smith; his three daughters: Cheryl Pickett and her daughter, Amanda and son Geoffrey; Penny Kerr and her daughters, Heather (Andreas) Rauscher and their son Carsten, and Maureen (Brad) Hauck and their daughter, Willow; Doreen (Ron) Sitter and their family, Paul, Valerie (Cory) Pohl and their son, Revan, Victoria (Chris) DeVita and their children, Kassandra and Alexander, and James (Zemeta) Sitter and their daughters, Saba and Samra. Al also leaves behind other family and friends including his brothers-in-law, George (Joan) Rolfe, Adrian Sites, and his sister-in-law, Joan Thompson and many nieces, nephews, cousins and a multitude of friends. Al was predeceased by his parents, William and Martha Smith; his parents-in-law, Tom and Blanche Rolfe; his son-in-law, Fred Tarry; two grandchildren, Barbara Tarry and Michelle Kerr; his siblings, Alan Smith, Eileen (Bob) Chouinard, Leona Sites, and his brother-in-law, Don Thompson. A celebration of Al’s life was held on Thursday, October 8, 2009, at 2:00 p.m. at Westminster United Church 101 – 6th Street SE, Medicine Hat, with Reverend James Farrell officiating. A graveside service was held the following day, October 9, at the Memory Gardens in Swift Current, SK. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts in Al’s memory may be made to the Medicine Hat Palliative Care Society, 666 - 5th Street SW, Medicine Hat, AB, T1A 4H6, or to the Shriner’s Sick Children’s Travel Fund, WaWa Shriners of Regina, Shrine Centre, 2065 Hamilton Street, Regina, SK, S4P 2E1. Condolences can be e-mailed to saamisfc@telus.net, subject-heading Al Smith. Funeral arrangements entrusted to Saamis Memorial Funeral Chapel and Crematorium, “The Chapel in the Park”, Medicine Hat, AB. Should you wish any additional information, please telephone 1-800-317-2647.