SMOOK, Roman

Roman (Ray) Smook October 11, 1937 – March 19, 2025 Roman (Ray) Smook was born on October 11, 1937 in Vegreville, Alberta, to parents John and Justina Smook of Ukrainian descent. They lived in Inland, a small farming community minutes south of Vegreville. Ray went to school in a one room schoolhouse, walking there each day uphill both ways.
He lost his father at the age of 8, so Baba took on the challenge of raising four boys with everyone helping out on the farm. When Ray was 16, he moved to Claresholm to live with his oldest brother, Marshall and sister-in-law, Anne. It was there he met the love of his life Gale. She worked at the Esso, while Ray worked across the street at the Texaco.
Gale went to University in Calgary, and Ray followed taking jobs at Mo’s Garage and Canada Post. Ray and Gale were married on January 9th, 1960. Later that year, he started working at Canada Packers (Maple Leaf Foods). Also later that year, a bouncing baby boy named Ricky Raymond came along. Three years later, Kevin William was born and their family was complete.
In 1971, they were off to Lethbridge thanks to a transfer by Canada Packers. Ray stayed with the company until 1990, earning a place in the Quarter Century Club. The family loved to go camping at Kehoe Lake, Kananaskis and Fairmont Hot Springs. The trailer was hitched and ready to go as soon as Gale got home from school. Summer holidays included trips to the Shuswaps and the Okanagan. Ray loved to curl and golf and he got a hole in one (at the NK’MIP Canyon Desert Golf Course). He got involved with the Hockey Hounds, supporting the Lethbridge Broncos and Hurricanes through program and 50-50 sales. He really enjoyed other peoples company and they enjoyed his, often playing a game of horse or cribbage. Grandpa will always be the crib champion.
When Gale retired in 1996, they moved to Oliver, BC to enjoy life in the Okanagan. They loved hosting their grandkids each summer taking them camping and swimming. Many of their winters were spent in Yuma, Arizona where they built lasting relationships with several great friends. Ray loved to call Bingo! (Gale was the paymaster).
They sold their place in Yuma in 2020 and enjoyed living year round in Oliver.
Some of Ray’s favorite expressions were, “Any better I’d be a runaway”, and “I’m on top of the World”. When asked what he did for a living, his common response was “I was a baloney salesman”, and many people would respond, “You still are”.
Ray leaves behind his loving wife of 65 years, Gale; sons, Rick (Cherrish) and Kevin (Sheila), and grandkids, Michael, Stephanie (Jeff), Jonny, Channy (Shayla), Sariya, Roman and Kate.
A memorial service will be officiated by Pastor Jeremy Cook at 2:00 pm, Monday March 24, 2025 at the Oliver Alliance Church followed y a light reception at the church.
Condolences and tributes may be directed to the family by visiting www.nunes-pottinger.com