Obituary of Ross Fingard Clancy Smith

On July 3, 2024, at 6:17 pm at the Grace Hospital, Ross Fingard (Clancy) Smith passed away at the age of 78 years. His son, daughter-in-law, and several close friends were there with him at the end.

Clancy was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba on February 18, 1946, to Max and Claire (Fingard) Smith.

From an early age, he was known as a likeable character and made friends easily. Many of his friends from childhood remained close with him for the rest of his life. He also became known as a politician in his early 20s and ran for public office several times in the following decades.
 
Clancy worked at first in his family steel and scrap metal firm before pursuing a career as a salesman for CCH Canadian Limited. He married Marlene Douglas in 1977 and their son, Adam, was born in 1980.

After Clancy’s first marriage ended, he met Cynthia Newman, a former classmate, and she became his second wife in 1997. Clancy and Cynthia remained married throughout the first decade of the 2000s.
 

Late in his life, Clancy remained a friend to both Marlene and Cynthia.
 
Clancy’s greatest interests and passions included military history, the German language, the Libertarian political movement, and classical music. He had a particular admiration for Winston Churchill and mirrored Churchill’s courage throughout his life. Stricken with multiple sclerosis and confined to a wheelchair, Clancy never complained and fought the disease bravely for several decades.
 
Clancy was predeceased by his mother and father; by his older brother, Michael Smith; by his cousin, Robert Klein; by his aunts and uncles, including Aunt Estelle (Tiny) Diamond; and also by a close lifelong friend, Michael Park.
 
Now at rest, Clancy is mourned by his son (Adam Smith); his daughter-in-law (Renée Harney), his two former wives (Marlene Douglas and Cynthia Newman), his friend and assistant Steve Szmilek; and many friends all over the world (Michael Prime, David Henderson, John Schantz, Peter Sanderson, Dennis Owens, Sidney Wolinsky, David Benditt, Harold Arkin, Victor Snell, Perry Taylor, Helene Dyck, and Don Redekop, to name a few).
 
Thanks and appreciation are extended to Dr. Schaffer, Dr. Boszko, nurses Nicole and Regine, and the rest of the health care team at the Grace Hospital Intensive Care Unit. All were very kind and compassionate to Clancy and his family and friends at the end.

Cremation has taken place in accordance with Clancy’s wishes.

A celebration of life will take place in September 2024.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada, Manitoba Division