Kevin Grant SMITH

August 1, 1950- November 13, 2017

On April 4, 1944, Kevin’s father James Smith, a Canadian soldier, married Joan Dawson, a British wren, in Monkseaton England. Kevin was born in Winnipeg.

Spent 2 months (for 4 years) on a farm which fostered Kevin’s love of horses and the related lifestyle.

 At the age of 15 he  left home and went to work for a year on a ranch outside Winnipeg.

Worked at  University of Manitoba  collecting pregnant mare urine used in the making of birth control pills. But he was working with horses.

As a security guard he single handedly captured and subdued a naked streaker.

Drove for a courier company and a taxi company.  He entertained himself practicing accents and sounds which he incorporated into humour for the rest of his life.

Moved to Vancouver and became a certified locksmith. Many a person locked out of their car in a parking lot was very thankful for Kevin and his “slim jim”.

 Auction school in Lacombe Alberta. Graduated in 1979. Lived in a motor home. 20 below no heat.

Sales manager with Olympic dairies. Set up their distribution system on Vancouver Island. On the road, on the island, he belonged to bowling leagues in Parksville and Victoria.

1986-1995 he joined  Marvel Auctions in Richmond and finally realized his love of second hand business.  

1995 moved to Parksville to start Gavel Auctions which he ran until 2004. In the years following Gavel he worked for Sandcastle Bakery and the Salvation Army.

The advent of high blood pressure in 2007 damaged and then shut down his kidneys. He went on dialysis for the next 10 years. Not able to work, he fell back on his interest in second hand goods and was a constant garage saler and flea market participant. He also had a DJ music business, specializing in 50’s, 60’s and 70’s music.

 Eventually a variety of health problems all came together in October 2017 resulting in his passing on November 13, 2017.

In the last 10 years never once did we hear a “poor me, poor me”. Kevin flourished in an environment of family and friends. He chose his last week at Trillium Hospice with this in mind where he could visit and socialize with all who came to see him.

In the mid 80’s worked for 5 years with the Campbell River Jaycees on their Salmon Festival fundraisers.

Participated in the Ashcroft (1991) and Logan Lake (1992) cattle drives

 Announcer for the Ballenas Whalers football for several years, did volunteer auctions for SOS, Parksville Fish and Game and Ducks Unlimited all over the island, specifically 10 years in a row for the Campbell River Ducks Unlimited.

Wife – Sheila. Children Ronda, Mandy, Tate and Preston

Brothers Bryan, Wayne and sister Linda

Numerous aunts, uncles, cousins nieces and nephews  in Campbell River, Victoria, Comox, Aldergrove, Victoria, Winnipeg, England.

A Celebration of Life will be held in the spring of 2018. Details to come.