Murray Douglas Smail
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our dear husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather Murray Douglas Smail on Saturday, October 31, 2020 at the age of 89. Murray was born February 27, 1931 to Bill and Mary Ellen Smail. He lived on a farm near Belbeck, SK until he was 12 and then moved into town. It was always a big joke that he got to ride the horse to school but his 3 sisters had to walk. He lived the rest of his life in Moose Jaw excelling in hockey and baseball. We were all present and proud to witness Dad being inducted into the Saskatchewan Baseball Hall of Fame as well. He was a businessman in Moose Jaw for many, many years owning Murray’s Signs. He was also involved with the Elks, Kinsmen, K-40’s, Moose Jaw Hockey Society and the Travellers and Travellers Day Parade Association for whom he built many floats for all the parades held in our city. Dad truly loved Moose Jaw and volunteered and helped with many other organizations in our little city. He was Master of Ceremonies for events such as the Moose Jaw Band Festival and the Peacock/Tech Reunion. Dad was also a great entertainer, putting on many comedy skits for various occasions and events that went on in Moose Jaw. He was instrumental in putting up Greeting Card Lane and it is still going on today. He was a proud Moosejavian. Dad was one of the original Grumpy Old Men who walked in Wakamow. He loved being with his friends, telling a joke or two and always was the life of the party. Dad and Mom were fortunate enough to do a lot of travelling to Europe, Cuba, Hawaii, Las Vegas, Florida, California and various other places in the USA and Canada. Dad loved people. He was an outgoing, friendly, kind, and humble man. He was extremely proud of his whole family, but especially proud of his son Doug who was fortunate enough to play professional hockey. Dad was predeceased by his parents, an infant brother Ernest, 3 sisters, Hazel, Violet and Myrtle, 2 grandchildren, Cody and Anna and numerous other relatives. He met and married the love of his life Jeanette Hogue on January 30, 1954 and they were married 66 years. They had 3 children, Sherry (Randy) Cameron, Doug (Wanda) Smail, and Cindy (Larry) Voeller; 7 grandchildren, Trisha (Tony), Jenna (Scott), Aimee (Troy), Michael (Ashly), Brett (Kennedy), Stacey (Greg), and Ashley (Shane), and 10 great-grandchildren. Dad you will always be loved and missed, and we know Heaven will never be the same. Dad, whenever we hear this song, we will think of you!
I Wish I Was Eighteen Again
George Burns
At a bar down in Dallas
An old man chimed in
And I thought he
Was out of his head
Just being a young man
I just laughed it off
When I heard what
That old man had said
He said, I'll never again
Turn the young ladies heads
Or go running off into the wind
I'm three quarters home
From the start to the end
And I wish I was eighteen again
I wish I was eighteen again
And going where I've never been
But old folks and old oaks
Standing tall just pretend
I wish I was eighteen again
Now time turns the pages
And, oh, life goes so fast
The years turn the
Black hair all grey
I talked to some young folks
Hey, they don't understand
The words this old man's got to say
I wish I was eighteen again
And going where I've never been
But old folks and old oaks
Standing tall just pretend
I wish I was eighteen again
Lord, I wish I was eighteen again
A big heartfelt Thank You goes out to St. Vincent ward at Providence Place for all their care and compassion. Also, thanks to Extendicare and Chateau St. Michaels. In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to the Moose Jaw Health Foundation or to the Alzheimer’s Society. A private family gathering will be held at a later date. In living memory of Murray, a memorial planting will be made by Jones - Parkview Funeral Services. Please sign the memorial register at website: www.wjjonesandson.com or www.parkviewfuneralchapel.ca (Obituaries). Kelly Scott, Funeral Director.
