Joseph Douglas Smuin

JOSEPH DOUGLAS SMUIN

October 28th, 1948 - April 29th, 2019

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Joseph (Joe) Smuin in Penticton on April 29th, 2019 after a brief battle with lung cancer.

Joe was born and raised in Penticton, and began his railway career in Penticton’s Canadian Pacific Railway ‘s roundhouse. He spent some time in the CPR yard in Kamloops before taking his Carman apprenticeship with BC Rail in Squamish, from 1976 to 1980. Joe married in December of 1980. Upon completion of his apprenticeship, Joe spent his remaining railway career in the BC Rail yard in North Vancouver. In August of 1987, Joe welcomed his daughter into the world, and the family settled in the Coquitlam area. In 2004, Joe retired and moved to Chilliwack in 2010 with his wife. They finally returned home to the Okanagan in the summer of 2017 to be near to their daughter and grandchildren.

Despite being widely known as a Kettle Valley Railway historian and author, Joe was always, first and foremost, a family man and will always be lovingly remembered by his family as the passionate man who loved deeply, laughed freely, joked often, went above and beyond for everyone, and who was always there for others, no matter what.

His light and presence was as large as it was treasured, and he will be dearly, dearly missed by all.

Joe was preceded by his parents Lorenzo Smuin & Dorothy Smuin (Sorge), and brothers Ren Lynn and Gerald. He is survived by his wife Sonia, daughter Robyn (David) and six grandchildren, his sister Maureen, brother Ron (Barb), brother Lyle (Sharon), as well as a large extended family.

An informal gathering with light refreshments for family and friends will be held at 2 pm, on June 15th, 2019 at the Penticton Seniors Drop-In Centre; 2965 South Main Street, Penticton.