Kelly Smith
SMITH, Kelly Albert, Sgt. Oct. 23, 1960 ~ June 5, 2011 Predeceased by his mother Dayle Smith, Kelly passed away suddenly and unexpectedly at home in Comox, B.C. on Sunday morning, with his partner and love, Angela Campbell, at his side. He is survived by his loving daughter Tara Smith, his father Albert Smith (Lorelei), sister Elaine Vollmer, brother-in-law and best friend Dave Vollmer, and cherished niece and nephew Erin and Craig Vollmer, all of Stratford, Ontario. He is also survived by his step-son Kelcey Hathaway and Angela's son Rob (Lindsay) of Comox, B.C., dear friend Mark Amos, and many, many other friends. Kelly was born in Toronto, and spent his teens in Stratford. He joined the military in London, Ontario in March 1981 and completed basic training infantry school in October 1981. As a member of the 3rd Battalion of The Royal Canadian Regiment, he was posted to Baden, Germany in July 1982, and also completed a UN tour of duty in Nicosia, Cyprus in 1986. In June of 1987 he "saw the light" and began his Fire Fighting career with the Military at Borden Ontario's Canadian Forces Fire Academy. His 1st posting as a fire fighter brought him to CFB Comox in July 1987, where his daughter was born in November 1988. He was posted in 1993 to HMCS Vancouver, in Esquimalt, B.C. After a five year leave from the military, Kelly rejoined and was again posted to HMCS Vancouver as a fire fighter and was promoted to Master Corporal in 2003. In May 2004, he took part in Task Force Arabian Sea, Bahrain, on HMCS Winnipeg. After being promoted to Sergeant and posted once again to CFB Comox, Kelly was deployed to Kandahar, Afghanistan as acting Fire Chief in August 2007. Kelly's family would like to offer their heart felt gratitude to The Canadian Armed Forces, the members of CFB Comox and 19 Wing Fire Dept., as well as the many friends who have been so supportive, for their caring, assistance and compassion. Viewing and visitation will take place on Friday, June 10 from 7-9 p.m. from Comox Valley Funeral Home, Cremation and Reception Centre, 1101 Ryan Rd., Courtenay, B.C. A service will be held at the Protestant Chapel, CFB Comox, on Saturday, June 11, 2011 at 10 a.m. Reception to follow. Donations in Kelly's memory can be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, P.O. Box 1225, Comox, B.C. V9M 7Z8. Kelly's light and joy of life will be missed by all who knew him.
