Eldredge Bertram Coombs Smith

Eldredge Smith passed away on Monday, September 29, 2025, at the age of 76 years. He will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 46 years Christine; children, Sonia (David) Barker, of Innisfail, AB, Christopher Smith, Alexander Smith (Marina), Emily (Ernest) Boakye, Irena-Marie (Dustin) Quinton, all of Calgary, AB, and Cathlyn (Brett) Payne, of Airdrie, AB; fourteen grandchildren, Samantha (Zach), Oliver, Alice, Alistair, Jude, Hazel, Kearon, Gabriel, Elijah, Maverick, Charlotte, James, Adelyn and McCallum; siblings Lyndon Smith, of Lacombe, AB, Roger (Sharon) Smith, of Calgary, AB, Lynda Marance, of Red Deer, AB, Wayne (Denyse) Smith, of Saskatoon, SK; sisters-in-law Beverly Smith, of Strathmore, AB, and Helen Smith, of Genelle, BC; uncle David Smith, of Cardston, AB; and many more family and friends. He was predeceased by his brothers Ronald Smith and Douglas Smith, brother-in-law Donald Marance and sister-in-law Maureen Smith.

Eldredge was born in Brooks, AB. He was the sixth of seven children born to his parents, Sydney and Irene (Coombs) Smith. He spent his first 8 years on the farm with his family in Rosemary until they moved to 8th Avenue NE in Calgary. He attended Stanley Jones School and made many long-lasting friends there with his warm, open and genial manner. Eldredge completed high school at Crescent Heights. He participated in the construction of the Crescent Road chapel during his high school years. Following high school, he submitted his mission papers and was called to serve in France. Following his mission, Eldredge went to work for his Uncle Al who had a health supplements company. Uncle Al eventually sent him to Montreal, Quebec to expand his business. There, Eldredge met, baptized and married his first wife, Chantal and they had three children, Sonia, Chris and Alex. He worked at various sales jobs during the years he was married to Chantal. After Chantal divorced him, he went to work as a brakeman for the Canadian Pacific Railway. It was hard, cold work and decades later, the memory of it would give him chills.

Eldredge met Christine at church in 1978 and swept her off her feet. They were married in 1979 at her parents' home in Randboro, Quebec. The next set of children began to arrive a few years later. Emily was the first and when Christine was pregnant with Irena in 1985 the family moved to Calgary in a full-sized school bus that Eldredge had retro fitted as a moving van/RV. That was a great adventure. Cathlyn completed the family in 1988.

Eldredge started working at Calgary Transit in April 1986 and continued to work there until his retirement at the end of December 2024. When Eldredge had a mid-life crisis he didn't purchase a sports car. Instead, he took an arborist course at the Alberta Vocational College (now Bow Valley College). He had previously delivered bundles of newspapers as part-time work, but he really enjoyed the artistry of being an arborist and always went above and beyond, especially for the many seniors he worked for. Eldredge served willingly in many Church callings. He loved and admired the other leaders he served with. His service touched the lives of many people. His open-door policy expanded his family circle to include many add-ins. Eldredge's legacy is one of compassion, service and acceptance. He welcomed anyone and everyone into his home where he provided a safe haven.

Eldredge always had a project in planning, or in progress, and sometimes had a project completed. He had a creative nature and tried his hand at wood carving and leather work. He loved many music genres, especially Jazz and he was a great cook. Most of all Eldredge loved his family and sacrificed his own interests over and over to meet their needs. His only regret was that he didn't get to travel. The Maritimes and Australia were at the top of his bucket list, so we hope he's on a great travel plan now.

A Visitation will be held for Eldredge at Pierson's Forest Lawn Chapel (4121 - 17 Avenue SE, Calgary) on Friday, October 3, 2025, from 6:00 - 8:00 pm. A Funeral Service will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - Crescent Road Chapel (202 Crescent Road NW, Calgary) on Monday, October 6, 2025 at 10:00 am. To watch the live webcast of the service, please click this link: https://zoom.us/j/92460127587