Brent Smith

Obituary of Brent Smith

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Brent Smith of Camrose, passed away in Varadero, Cuba, on February 9, 2016 at the age of 62 years. Brent was born July 5, 1953, in Hartney, Manitoba, to Norman and Evelynne Smith. The family moved to Boissevain, MB, soon after, and made it their permanent home. Brent became a big brother to three sisters; Nadene, Marla, and Julie. Ev and Norm kept the house filled with music and humour. On February 9, 1964, the Beatles first appeared on the Ed Sullivan show, and Brent's path was set. His awe of the Fab Four solidified his resolve to become a musician. Brent joined his first band at age 14. He continued to play and sing with his friends and family in various groups, and over the years, expanded his repertoire to include rock, jazz, country, Ukrainian, Gospel, and Irish music, although he always remained a rocker at heart. Family events were always underscored with the music that they all loved and shared. Brent moved to Camrose in 1979, along with his fiancé, Gail Humpage. They married in 1980, and spent 17 happy years together, establishing a home, with their Bearded Collies, Haley and Cleo, and building lifelong friendships. Brent decided to leave the life of a travelling musician behind, and spend more time closer to home. He took a position as a music therapist in Rosehaven Care Centre, which led to a job as a nursing attendant. Never one to commit part way to a cause or a vocation, he enrolled in the AHP school of psychiatric nursing, and graduated in 1987. While working at St Mary's Hospital, he became involved in the nurse's union, first as local president, and then as district rep. In 1997, Brent lost Gail to cancer. Through his grief, he continued to care for her mother Jean at home as long as he was able. In 1998, Brent joined the labour relations staff at United Nurses of Alberta. Here, as an advocate for members of his own profession, he found his true calling. He enjoyed the interaction, the opportunities for learning, and the challenge of protecting the rights of nurses. Most of all, he cherished the friends he got to spend time with every day at work. In 2003, Brent married Jay, his best friend, and gained a family. True to form, he embraced the role of parent with enthusiasm and joy. His devotion to Jay, and his love and pride of Holly, Bailey, and Vincent was boundless. He supported them unconditionally, and bragged about them shamelessly. Far from being frightened off by the large clan he now belonged to, he welcomed all of his new in-laws with open arms, and won their hearts in turn. He loved being "Uncle Pirate Brent" and regaling everyone with his tales of treachery, although it is rumoured that he occasionally took certain liberties with the facts. He kept the house perpetually stocked with booty for the children to find and revelled in the treasure hunts that were staged every summer and Easter. Brent wanted to experience the world. His first trip abroad was with his parents and sisters to Europe in 1989. He later travelled throughout the United States, to the Dominican Republic, and to England and Iceland. He often travelled to see his favourite bands in concert, and it was on a trip to Disneyland, with Jay and the kids, that he first discovered his inner pirate. In 2012, Brent and Jay went to Cuba for the first time, and were captivated by sun and the culture there. They returned three more times: the last being a long awaited family holiday with all three children. It was there, on February 9, 2016, that we lost him, doing what he loved, surrounded by his family who loved him. He had the ocean, the sun, and his wife and children all together. Although he left us far too soon, we cannot begrudge him his happy ending, befitting a pirate that left us all so much richer for having known him. Left to grieve the loss of this beautiful man are his wife Jay, his children Holly, Bailey, and Vincent; his beloved mother Evelynne; sisters Nadene (Rick), Marla (Carmen), and Julie (Stuart); nieces Zoe, Stephanie, Jayme, and Madeline. He was predeceased by his father, Norman Smith. Brent will be missed and remembered by his chosen kin, Tommy and Rachel, and by his many cousins, in-laws, nieces, nephews, and young pirates in training, friends, and his vast and wonderful UNA family. A funeral service was held on Saturday February 27, 2016 at 1:00 pm from the Burgar Memorial Chapel. Please note family request that anyone in attendance please refrain from wearing any fragrances to the funeral service. Memorial contributions are gratefully accepted to the Bearded Collie Rescue Fund, or the Cross Cancer Institute.
A Memorial Tree was planted for Brent
We are deeply sorry for your loss ~ the staff at Burgar Funeral Home Camrose Ltd.
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Brent Smith

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Brent Smith

1953 - 2016

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