Firefighter, community activist.
Born at Winnipeg on 14 March 1934 to Violet Lillian Gladys Tully (1905-1970) and Harry Smith (1901-1991), he was raised in the city and found his career path with the Winnipeg Fire Department. He served for forty years and was Battalion Chief when he retired in 1994. Additionally, he formed the Winnipeg Fire Prevention and Education Committee and promoted fire safety with various local newspapers, radio, and television stations.
While with the East Kildonan Fire Department, he purchased the Santa Claus Parade from the T. Eaton Company in 1966, for $1.50. With George Killen of the St. Vital Fire Department, he ran the parade for many years, involving all suburban and city departments, family, friends and his entire neighbourhood, before passing it on to the Winnipeg Jaycees in the mid-1970s. He was Chairman for the 100th anniversary celebration of the Winnipeg Fire Department and received the Premier of Manitoba’s Volunteer Service Award in 2008, for his leadership in a project called the Toy Mountain Campaign.
He continued to serve his community after his retirement by helping form and then leading the Winnipeg Firefighters Support Group, Food Van (Fire 711), Firefighters Honour Guard, and Retired Firefighters Breakfast.
In 1955, he married Kathleen “Kathy” Fast, with whom he had one daughter.
He died at Winnipeg on 12 September 2012.
Obituary, Winnipeg Free Press, 15 September 2012.
“George Charles Smith,” Mills and Fedoroshyn Family Tree, Ancestry.
This page was prepared by Lois Braun.
Page revised: 14 September 2026
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