A Martensville volunteer firefighter who never hesitated to put his own life on the line to help others was given an emotional final farewell by family, friends and colleagues on Wednesday, May 24.
Mike Smith, 41, passed away in hospital on Sunday, May 21 after succumbing to cancer, a disease he had been battling for several years. He leaves behind his wife and two young sons, as well as his parents and two brothers.
Born October 11, 1981, Mike followed in his father’s footsteps when he joined the Martensville Fire Department in 2007. The respect he earned through his dedication to duty was evident during the funeral service at the North Ridge Centennial Centre, as his fellow Martensville Fire Department colleagues, along with officers from Warman and Dalmeny fire departments, solemnly carried his helmet, his boots, and the urn containing his ashes to a place of honour in front of about 600 people gathered in the community hall.
The service of celebration of Mike’s life saw every chair in the hall filled, with many dozens of people standing against the walls along the side and rear of the hall. Hundreds of vehicles overflowed the parking lot and lined both sides of 3rd Street along its entire length.
Stan Reddekopp, a motorsports teammate of Mike’s for the past seven years, told the crowd that Mike had a passion for sports.
“Mike was our crew chief,” said Stan, “He loved racing. Last fall, a bunch of us went to Pensacola, Florida and spent seven days at the track. It was a bucket list thing. I’ll cherish those memories.”
Angie Reddekopp, a close friend of the Smith family, said Mike was born and raised and educated in Martensville.
“He was an amazing coach, father and friend,” said Angie.
Angie’s husband, Graham Reddekopp, said Mike was taken too soon from his friends and family too soon.
“Mike said a few days before his passing that he just wanted to have a little more time,” said Graham. “Just a little more time to be with everyone. We will miss him greatly.”
Mike’s untimely passing in hospital came just one week before a fundraising ball tournament in Martensville was slated to take place. The money raised at the event, which will go ahead as planned on Saturday, May 27, will now go to his family. Similarly, money raised at a Warman Fire Rescue pancake breakfast on May 27 will also go to Mike’s family.
Mike leaves to mourn his wife Kristen, sons Drew and Desmond; his father Steve, his mother Louise, and his brothers Russ and Mike.