1949 ~ 2019
It is with great sadness that we, the family, announce the passing of Ernie Andrew Smelski, husband, father, best friend and mentor. On the 28th of June, Ernie passed away suddenly at his home in Lac du Bonnet.
He is survived by his loving wife Sylvia and son Travis; his sister Josephine Stokotelny and brother Maurice (Verna) Smelski of Dauphin. His mother-in-law Ann Eschuk of Dauphin, his brothers-in-law, Sylvester (Lucy) Nykoluk of Chepen, Peru, Steven (Debbie) Nykoluk of Lac du Bonnet, and sister-in-law Stephanie (Ray) Hadway of Dauphin; and numerous nieces and nephews that all held a very special place in his heart.
He was predeceased by his parents, Andrew and Mary Smelski; his brother-in-law Mel Stokotelny; his niece Beverly Stokotelny and nephew Allan Stokotelny.
Ernest Andrew Smelski was born on April 30th, 1949 at the Dauphin General Hospital. Ernie started his education at the Mountain Stream School in Keld, MB in 1954. When the school closed, he was bused to Dauphin and continued his education at Smith Jackson and high school years at McKenzie High School.
He started off with Resources as a summer student and found that this would be his lifelong career. He graduated from Maritime Ranger School in Fredericton, New Brunswick and his first posting was in Mafeking, MB. During his years with Resources, he was stationed in numerous communities throughout Manitoba, ending with retirement in Lac du Bonnet. During the years he made many lifelong friends that he kept in contact with wherever he was stationed.
In 1973, he met Sylvia at a social in Keld and their romance began. They married on August 24th 1974. On July 4th, 1982 their lives become complete with the birth of their son Travis.
He loved to travel with family, and they visited many parts of Canada, United States, and Mexico ending with winters spent in Arizona.
Ernie loved sports and played hockey and baseball in many of the towns he lived in. He danced with the Cossacks starting in 1973 and made so many more special friends. His love for the Ukrainian culture was dear to his heart. His work with Resources led him to join the Snoman organization and continued into retirement.
A Celebration of Life for Ernie will be held on Saturday, July 6 at 1:00 p.m. at the Lac du Bonnet Community Centre.
Funeral Liturgy will be held on Monday, July 8 at 11:00 a.m. at Ukrainian Catholic Church of the Resurrection in Dauphin, MB, with interment to follow in Riverside Cemetery.
Donations in Ernie’s memory may be made to Lac du Bonnet Arena Board, Box 854, Lac du Bonnet, MB R0E 1A0.
Ernie left a very special memory in the hearts of each and every one he touched.
Love and miss you.
Vichnaya Pamyat
You will never be forgotten.
Offer Condolence for the family of Ernie Andrew Smelski
Print This Obituary & Condolences
Charlie sally hirst
Wow, that’s a shock. Our sympathy goes out to you, Travis. May Ernie’s journey to his home in eternity be quick.
Ross Stewart
Good morning Slyvia
It with a heavy heart that I take time to wish you well from my family to yours.
I certainly treasure my time I spent working with Ernie in the Whiteshell.
It is oh so easy to bring a smile to my face to think of some of the adventures and “Ernie” -isms that I was lucky enough to be part of.
He was a wonderful boss to work for, but a better person.
I’m grateful he shared his love for life, family and Canada’s resources with me.
Take care
Ross and Nadine
Ray & Angela Elke
Our hearts are with Sylvia and Travis. May your memories keep you close.
Eric & Carol Iverson
Sylvia, we just want you to know that we are deeply saddened to hear of Ernie’s passing. He will truly be missed. Our sincere condolences to you and family.
Jeannette Manchur
So sorry to hear this awful news. Condolences to the whole family.
Mike and Monique Labossiere
Our condolences to Sylvia and Travis. I have fond memories of my years of working with Ernie and have always had a great respect for Ernie and loved his outlook on life.
Cherish the memories
Ed & Sylvia Senchuk
Shocked & saddened to hear of Ernie’s passing .
Deepest sympathy to Sylvia & Travis.
Our thoughts & prayers are with you
James Kereluik
Slyvia
It is such a shock to hear of Ernie’s passing. I first met him in Mafeking with Syl we were hunting.
Saw him over the years always stopped to say hi. Such a gentleman.
He will be missed. Memories Eternal
James Kereluik
Chris carlson
Our deepest sympathy Sylvia, & family on the loss of your husband and father. Our prayers will be with you at this time. Cherish your memories, they help you to heal. Hugs to all.
Craig & Tanis Asselstine
We were very sorry to hear of Ernie’s sudden passing and our sympathy goes out to you Sylvia, Travis, and the extended family. Ernie was a valued friend in both the work and social parts of our lives and he will be missed enormously. No one was more committed to doing what you do in the best possible way. The “Ernie” isms will live on.
Craig & Tanis
Vickie Marchuk
Travis and Sylvia,
Sorry to hear about the sudden passing of Ernie. He was such a friendly, caring person to work with and I always enjoyed talking with Ernie. Take care.
Rod & Marg MacCharles
We are so very sorry to hear of Ernie’s passing. Please be comforted by our high esteem of Ernie. We both worked with him at Manitoba Conservation. Our most sincere sympathy to your family at this very difficult time.
Rod and Marg MacCharles
The Pas, MB
Patty Andriechuk
Sylvia….
We are saddened to hear of Ernie’s passing. Please know your whole family are in our thoughts and prayers.
Ernie and Patty Andriechuk
Harry And Arleen Pluchinski
Our deepest condolences to you Sylvia, Travis and all families, and friends that he touched the heart of.
Ash & Orva Cameron
Ash and I were totally surprised, saddened and shocked by the news of Ernies’ death. Our heartfelt condolences to you Sylvia and your son Travis and family. May all the happy memories you and Ernie shared be a comfort to you in the days ahead.
“May each tear that falls be a gentle reminder that you and Ernie meant so much to each other, and that no loss can ever take that away.”
Sincerely … Ash and Orva Cameron
Barb Young
I want to express my deepest sympathy to Sylvia & family. I was likewise shocked as he attended Chuck’s celebration of life less than a couple months ago. There just are no words @ such a difficult & painful time.
margaret Robson
Deepest Sympathy Sylvia and Travis. It was so nice to spend time with you and Ernie in Mesa. May you cherish the wonderful memories . Garry and Margaret Robson .
Terry & Terri Kolida
Always a friendly greeting from Ernie, a Keld Cossack, where ever we met.
Dear Sylvia, Travis, Josephine, Maurice &Verna, and extended family. We are very sorry for the loss of your loved one, Ernie.
Thinking of you,
Terry & Terri
Donna and Gerald Forsyth
Dear Sylvia,
We felt such a loss when Blair gave us the news.
Gerry will always cherish the memories of the Fathers Day fishing trips and the hunting adventures at Claude’s.
Ernie was always our happy and fun loving friend – you could never feel down when Ernie was around! He will stay in our hearts forever.
We are so sorry for your loss, and we are wishing you comfort and strength through the difficult days ahead.
Love,
Donna and Gerry
Ron Wombold
It is so difficult to grasp that Ernie is no longer with us. Over the past many winters it has been a pleasurable honour to be friends with such a fun and beautiful couple. Life at Las Palmas will not be the same! Our thoughts and prayers are with you Sylvia, Travis, and the rest of Ernie’s loved ones as you go through this difficult time. Unfortunately our schedule conflicts with us being able to attend either service. Please know we will be there in spirit. Thank you for sharing your lives with us. We are richer as a result. May your faith carry you through this deep and dark valley.
With deepest sympathy, Ron and Lorraine
Dennis Burns
Sylvia – our thoughts and prayers are with you at this very difficult time – Ernie’s passion for life and his love of sports brought us together with snowmobiling. As many mention – his passion, his love of people but most important – doing it right – always with a smile and at the end of the day with an ice cube. Ernie knew how to make everyone feel special in his company.
Ernie played with the Canadian Council of Snowmobile Organizations as our vice President. I got to work with him on many projects. He will be sadly missed.
I share a poem – this brings me to a place I hope you can find as well – I do not know who the author is
Our deepest sympathy – Dennis & Chrysta
I thought of you with love today
but that is nothing new.
I thought about you yesterday
and days before that too.
I think of you in silence
I often speak your name,
all I have are memories
and your picture in a frame.
Your memory is my keepsake,
with which I’ll never part.
God has you in His keeping,
I have you in my heart.
Richard McCalder
Sincere condolence to Syliva and Travis and families .
My years with Manitoba Conservation I met with alot of Officers and Ernie was a special person and one of the easiest to know and and like, he was the best.
He will be missed by all.
Rick McCalder
Ardelle Woods
Our deepest condolences to Ernie’s family. He was a good friend and fellow snowmobiler. He will be missed by many. Blair and Ardelle Woods
John Kyne
Saddened to read the news of Ernies passing,hard to digest.
Played hockey with Ernie and had a blast the years we were partners with the old blue.
Always positive and upbeat with a sprinkle of competitive spirit made for some entertaining times.
Thinking of both Sylvia and Travis at this time, my sincere condolences