Otto Smale

Obituary

It is with heavy hearts we announce the passing of Otto Smale on Thursday, November 30, 2017, after a lengthy struggle with COPD and heart disease.

Otto was predeceased by his parents Jean and Howard Smale; brothers: Ken and Lenny; son Barrett; mother-in-law Margaret Schuppert; and Uncle Phil Eiebert.

Otto is survived by: his wife Brenda of 37 years, daughters: Sabrina (Trevor) and their children Bradley & Marcus; Sheri and son Howard and his daughter Aaliyah; step-mother Donna Smale; sisters: Ruth (John) and Shirley (Harry) and brother Paul (Bev), sister-in-law Sylvia Smale and their families and special friend Gloria Thom and Aunt Phyllis Hiebert. He is also survived my many friends and family in the Hensall and Goderich areas of Ontario.

As well, Otto is survived by ex-wife Sylvia and their children Darlene (Dave), Laura, John and their families.

Otto’s greatest love was hockey whether it was playing, coaching, or watching. He was looking forward to skating with his grandsons and watching them play hockey. We think he was born with a hockey stick in his hand. He coached for many years including teams from Luxton Community Centre, AA Midgets, Transcona Regents AA. He was also on Eastman Midgets Hockey Board and the Ile de Chenes Hockey Board.

Honorary pallbearers are Ron Normand, Ken Corlette and Guy Parizeau.

Card of thanks: The family would like to thank all their friends, neighbours who sent their condolences through gifts of prayer, flowers, calls and visits and to Frontier Subaru co-workers who have been so understanding during this time.

Special thanks to all the friends and family who visited Otto during the past four months he spent in hospital and the Doctors, nurses and staff at the Bethesada Hospital for their care, the homecare workers and nurses who made it possible for Otto to be at home for the last 4 weeks.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Children’s Variety Heart Centre, 685 William Ave, Winnipeg, MB R3E 012 or Ronald McDonald House, 566 Bannatyne Ave, Winnipeg, MB RPA 0G7.

Your kind expressions of sympathy are deeply appreciated and gratefully
acknowledged by our family.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, December 7, 2017 at 11:00 am at Birchwood Funeral Chapel, Steinbach, MB, with ash interment to follow at Gretna Cemetery.