Thomas "Tom" Smith

Thomas Smith, loving husband of Lillian Smith, of Sturgis, passed away peacefully at home, on Saturday, December 13, 2025. He was 90 years of age.

Tom was born on April 17, 1935, to John and Genevieve Smith on the family farm near Pilger, Saskatchewan. Growing up on the farm shaped Tom’s work ethic early. After leaving school (grade 8) he helped on the farm and at the age of 17, followed in the footsteps of his older brother Kem by joining Sask Power. Tom spent 38.5 years with Sask Power, retiring in 1991 at the age of 56. During those years, he quite literally helped power the province, building and maintaining power lines in communities including Tway, Canwood, Blaine Lake, Speers, Togo, Yellow Creek, and Carragana in 1952. Wakaw, Cudworth, Alvena, Leroy, Middle Lake, Somme, Calder, Saltcoats, Norquay, Pelly, and Lake Lenore in 1953. He was in Humboldt and Burr in 1954 and Nokomis in 1955. He was part of the Humbolt Crew in 1956; crew foreman in Humboldt in 1957; a Roving DO in Melfort in 1958; from 1960-1962 he was in Wadena, Lake Alma, and then settled in Paradise Hill. There he met his loving wife, Lillian Blazy.

On September 23, 1961, Tom and Lillian were married in Carruthers. They married and soon welcomed their first child, Diane. They lived in Paradise Hill until August 1962. In August of 1962, the family moved to Sturgis when Tom became the District Operator. There, Tom and Lillian raised their family, welcoming three sons - Brian, Barry, and Jamie - and built a life deeply rooted in the community.

Outside of work, Tom was endlessly curious and always creating. He loved working with wood salvaged from dismantled elevators, annexes, and dormitories. He carved wood and horns, collected driftwood, shaped willow branches from along the Assiniboine River, and was never short of a project while working away in his Whittle barn. Over the years, those projects included raising chinchillas, converting school buses into RVs, and building things simply because he could imagine them. Tom also loved the outdoors. He enjoyed cross-country skiing, canoeing, and later kayaking. He was involved in the start-up of the local ski hill and played a key role in the development of lake properties at Good Spirit Lake Resort - work that earned him the rare honour of having a street named after him.

As the years went on, Tom slowed his pace just enough to make more time for fishing and volunteering during his 34 years of retirement. He was an active member of the Sturgis Wildlife Association and devoted countless hours to the local museum, eventually serving as its president. Under his leadership, the museum completed projects such as the windmill, the clay oven, and many others, each reflecting Tom’s love of history, craftsmanship, and community.

One of Tom’s greatest joys was time spent with his granddaughters, Shandel, Paige, and Raine. He shared his love of adventure with them through kayaking trips, hikes, fishing, and quiet moments outdoors, passing along not just skills, but a way of living that valued patience, curiosity, and respect for nature.

Tom was predeceased by his parents, John and Genevieve; his brother, Kem; his sister, Aldean; his sister-in-law, Mildred; and his brothers-in-law, Fred and Glen. He is lovingly remembered by his wife, Lillian; his children, Diane and her partner Darcy, Brian, Barry and his wife Marcie, and Jamie and his wife Sandy; his grandchildren, Shandel, Paige and her partner Bo, and Raine; along with his sisters- and brothers-in-law and many nieces and nephews.

Tom lived a life defined by quiet dedication, creativity, and service - to his family, his community, and his province. He leaves behind not only the structures he built, but the example of a life well lived: steady, generous, and deeply grounded.

Funeral Mass was held on December 18, at St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church in Sturgis, with Rev. Fr. Andrzej Sowa, O.M.I as Celebrant. Mel Zimmer served as the cross bearer and Cheryl and Mel Zimmer read scripture. Tom’s granddaughters, Shandel and Paige shared memories and read the eulogy that was prepared by Kevin Smith. Interment followed at the St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church Parish Cemetery with Brian Smith serving as urn bearer. A slideshow, that was created by Raine Smith was played at the memorial lunch that followed the service. Memorials may be made to the St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church (Box 629, Sturgis, SK, S0A 4A0) as gifts of remembrance.