Date de Décès: 2002-04-15
Date de Parution: 2002-04-15
Source: Ottawa Citizen, ON
DFC CD Group Captain RCAF (retired) EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (retired) Peacefully on April 15, 2002 at the Ottawa General Hospital. Beloved husband of Eunice; dear father of Ruth Konzelman (Richard) of Selkirk, Manitoba; and Paul of Toronto; cherished "Pops" to grandchildren Kurt Konzelman and Ailsa Konzelman of Manitoba and great-grandchild Zachary Konzelman. Predeceased by his parents Adelia and William Chappel and his brother Arnold. Born in Guelph, Ontario in 1918, Smitty and his brother Arnold became serious musicians at a young age. Smitty earned an ATCM (piano) at the Royal Conservatory and accompanied Arnold on violin in concerts and on the radio in southern Ontario. World War II interrupted this career path and in 1941 Smitty joined the RCAF to become a flight instructor at Centralia and Camp Borden before being seconded to the RAF in England. At the end of the war he returned to Canada and a 25 yr. career with the RCAF. As he rose through the ranks the family resided in many locations in Canada, Washington DC and finally Winnipeg where he retired as a Group Captain in 1966. Smitty and Eunice returned to Ottawa where he began another career in a senior management role with External Affairs. After his retirement in 1982, Smitty remained active for the balance of his life. Despite an 11 yr. battle with cancer, Smitty served on the Board of Dominion Chalmers United Church; the Board of Governors, Friends of Music University of Guelph; as President of the Canadian Fighter Pilots Association; as well as being a devoted caregiver to Eunice. Smitty's love of music was closely followed by the game of golf and until a month ago, he was eagerly anticipating the opening of the season at Hylands. Smitty had a full life and he will remain in the hearts of his family and friends as a gentleman of intelligence, wit and kindness, a caring and trusted friend and a truly supportive and loved husband, father and grandfather. The family expresses their heartfelt thanks to Yvonne Osorio, the neighbours, and to Smitty's very special physicians Drs. Fleming, Agboola, Goss and DaSilva. Cremation has taken place. At Smitty's request, there will be no funeral service, however friends are invited to join the family on Sunday, April 21 from 3-5 pm at Woodside Hall, Dominion Chalmers Church, 355 Cooper St., Ottawa. A private family interment will take place in Guelph at a later date. In lieu of flowers, if friends so desire donations can be made in Smitty's memory to the Perley Rideau Veteran's Foundation, 1750 Russell Rd., Ottawa, Ontario, or to the Canadian Cancer Society. "PER ARDUA AD ASTRA" The Ottawa Citizen, 19-02-2002