Ovila Smith

Forever Remembered

After a lifetime of love and dedication to his family, it is with much sadness that we announce the passing of our dad, Ovila Joseph Smith on December 29th, 2025. Dad passed away peacefully at Royal University Hospital with family by his side. Dad has found his way back to his beloved wife, Ruth who preceded him in death. We take comfort in knowing dad is reunited with mom, who has been patiently waiting for him. Dad was blessed with 95 years of happiness and good health with all of us children sharing in care giving responsibilities in his last few years. We are grieving the loss of dad but take comfort in knowing we respected & honoured dad's profound long-time wish of remaining in his own home till his final day.

Some of dad's proudest life accomplishments were his family, friends and his keen business acumen. For many years dad's passion was with his horses. While being Owner/Operator of his business, Saskatoon Truck, Wheel & Frame in Saskatoon, dad loved working on his 40 acre hobby farm near Vanscoy as well as caring for & racing his thoroughbred horses at Marquis Downs & Assiniboia Downs. In dad's early retirement years, he traveled to Winnipeg with horses and saddle generating a business as a self-employed pony boy at Assiniboia Downs before finally hanging up his saddle. Once back in Saskatoon, he & mom enjoyed golfing, traveling locally & camping in their motor home. In his later years of retirement, much of dad's enjoyment came from all his adult children frequently visiting, having suppers together and playing cards. Dad, at last you can now, once again enjoy playing Duck Lake Rummy with mom.

Left to mourn the passing of Ovila are his 5 children, Carol O'Hara (Gerald Schmirler), Lyall (Cindy) Smith, Sandra Fontaine, Lynda (Danny) Howe and Cindy Lou Blunt, grandchildren Amanda (Andrew) Grasby, Angela O'Hara-Towler (Karl Towler), Cameron Smith (Lisa Sanders), Lisa Smith and Candace Adams (Antonio Garcia), great-grandchildren Kale Grasby, Moreah O'Hara-Towler, Breeanne Sanders & Brooke Smith, Neah & Isiah Smith, Brady, Riley & Keshon Adams. Ovila is also survived by many brothers, sisters, brothers & sisters in law, nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

Ovila was predeceased by his loving wife Ruth, his parents Theophile & Lillian Smith, parents in law, Anton & Marion Saworski, grandchildren Melinda O'Hara, Jennifer Adams, Jacqueline Smith and special 2nd son Denis Gagnon as well as sisters, brothers, sisters & brothers in law and many other loved family members.

No Service by Request - Respecting our parents' wishes, a private family burial service will be held in the spring 2026 allowing us to say our final goodbyes to both our Mom and Dad.