We Remember
NELSON, John “Smiley” Dunn
—
Smiley passed away peacefully on October 24, 2019 in Kelowna, BC at the age of 91 years old. Born on July 10, 1928 in Torrance (Muskoka), ON. Survived by his three loving children; Lynn Baker, Don Nelson (Anne Mander), Wayne Nelson (Liz); His eight grandchildren: Joel (Stephanie), Sheldon, Brittany Tremblay; Angelique, Owen (Jacqui), Michelle Baker; Lauren Mander, Blake Nelson; Three great grandchildren; Willow, Piper and Othello. As well as many special nieces and nephews; and sister-in-law Dianne Roberts and brother-in-law Tony Roberts. Predeceased by his wife, Joan Nelson; his daughter, Karen Tremblay; his brother Allan Nelson.
Smiley grew up in Muskoka, ON, farming the land his Swedish grandparents homesteaded on and working on the railroad. He was a devoted family man, marrying his wife, Joan, in Kapuskasing, ON, in 1953. They had four children together, and they all moved to Kelowna, BC, in 1962. Smiley joined the Ontario Provincial Police in 1950; he was in the dry cleaning business with his wife’s family both in Kapuskasing, ON, and when they moved to Kelowna and purchased Henderson’s Cleaners; he worked with the RCMP as its Kelowna Detachment Crime Prevention Officer then as a Kelowna City councilor. He was active in skiing, golfing, and acting/singing with Kelowna Community Theater. He was a long-standing member of St. Georges Masonic Lodge (Kelowna) and St. Paul’s United Church Choir. He enjoyed many hours refereeing hockey, umpiring baseball and cheering on the Kelowna Rockets. After his retirement, he became a beekeeper, keeping us supplied with fabulous honey. Up until the moment of his death, Smiley lived his life the way he wanted.
The family wishes to thank the community and his friends for all the love, companionship, & laughter over the years. We will miss his beautiful soul in our daily lives, but we will always remember him with so much love and grace
Funeral service will be held on Monday, November 4, 2019 at 11:00 AM at St. Paul’s United Church, 1130 Springfield Rd, (Seventh-Day Adventist Church) Kelowna, BC with Reverend Ivy Thomas officiating.
Service
Monday, November 4, 2019
Location
St. Paul’s United Church
On behalf of the ONTARIO PROVINCIAL POLICE (OPP) VETERANS’ ASSOCIATION, I would like to express my deepest sympathy on the passing of former OPP Constable Smiley Nelson. His dedicated six year service (1950-1956) to the people of Ontario will continue to be recognized and appreciated.
Don, Lynn, Wayne and Tremblay families. So very saddened to hear of your Fathers passing away. He was a great friend, always a laugh and such fun to be with. He will surely be missed by all who knew him. Our Prayers and special thoughts are with you at this sorrowful time. Ethel / Norm Robidoux
I first met Smiley in the early 1990’s when I was a director on the Peachland Citizen’s Patrol. Smiley asked me to be one of the co coordinators for the Community Policing Office. I was honoured to share the top position at the office with Yvonne. It was an honour to see him get an award for his policing endeavours at the Crime Prevention Convention. He always had a smile and would stop to chat when you ran into him in Kelowna. Down to earth, fun and yes always smiling. Smiley will be missed. My heartfelt condolences to his family and his friends. Thanks Smiley for having confidence in me to take on the Policing Office position and for being a friend. May you rest in peace and tend to your heavenly bee hives.
I was so sorry to hear about Smiley’s passing. My sincere condolences to Don, Wayne and the rest of their families. I have very fond memories of Smiley from the late 1960s and early 1970s when I grew up in Kelowna. I played hockey with Don and Wayne (not as well as they played) and Smiley was always there – driving, refereeing, encouraging us and always with a smile. He was one of those parents who was always helping out and whose participation was key to ensure we could play hockey and baseball. More recently he was a golfing companion to my dad, who thoroughly enjoyed playing with Smiley. The world is a better place because of Smiley Nelson’s life. Thank you Smiley.
So sorry to hear of your loss. I remember Smiley fondly as a City Councillor. He could always be counted on for a smile and a “top drawer” response. He was top notch.
I knew Smiley for a number of years as a fellow Aux RCMP officer. His nickname was well earned as he was always cheerful and a compassionate man. My sympathy and best wishes go out to his family whom I know very well (Mark and Karen). Gods speed Smiley
Heartfelt wishes of love to you all at this sad time and
“Smiles” in heaven to Smiley.
So sorry for your loss Smiley was one in a million…..Funny thing I knew him for 35 years and never knew him as anything other than Smiley. Not Mr Nelson not John just Smiley or Smiles. He was a great guy and lived a full and long life. Rest in Peace
My deepest sympathy to Smiley’s family and friends. I had the pleasure of making Smiley’s acquaintance when I was was serving as an RCMP member at the Southeast District office in Kelowna. Like everyone else, I was struck by his genuine friendly, kind and caring nature. I hope you will be comforted at this difficult time by your wonderful memories of Smiley.
Insp. Jim Hislop (Rtd)
R.I.P. Smiley….you will be missed.
Rick
Smiley & Joan lived right across the street on Keller Place from my mother and father, Alf and Taletta Hoivik for many years. They were the best of friends. I was in the RCMP for many years and we had good visits with Smiley and his family whenever we were back for a visit with my parents. Smiley served the RCMP and his community well over the years. RIP SMILEY, you are with the Lord now. Where Eagles Dare.
Mom and I are so sorry to hear of Smiley’s passing. Smiley was mom’s boss at Henderson’s Cleaners and later, I spent two summers working there. It was a great work experience and later, when we moved on, we would run into Smiley around town he was smiling and always so personable. Our deepest sympathies to the family, may you find comfort in knowing that Smiley left a positive impact on so many . Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Ethel and Faith Kinoshita
So sorry for the family loss. I had the privilege of working with Smiley and the Auxillary team with the Kelowna Det. In the early seventies. His smile will be missed by his many friends……Jack
I am deeply saddened And am so sorry for your loss I’d like to pay tribute to my dear friend Smiley He was one of the most happiest, giving and thankful people I’ve ever known. He helped me a lot with my bees and I learnt so much from him; a fearless soul! We had so many wonderful talks and hugs! Goodbye my friend You will really be missed Have fun in heaven and keep smiling!
Here is a few photos of Smiley helping me with a swarm
Our sincere condolences to Don, Wayne and the whole Nelson family. I have such fond memories of your Dad all through my hockey years. Over the years, Marge and I would run into him and we always loved our chats. Seeing Smiley always made our day happier. He was such a genuine, bright and shining light and will be missed and remembered always. Sending our thoughts and prayers.
To Smiley’s Family, Your dad was a gentle soul and I got to meet him when I was a little girl. As I adult I got to see him again when I was an adult. I met him and your mom at a class where they both were very funny, and could see how much they loved each other after many year’s of wedded bliss. His nickname was perfect for him as I always seen him smiling. Teaching us young kids the rules of the road and showing us how to properly ride our bikes. I hope he and your mom are both going to watch over you all and you will feel them being around you. RIP Smiley and Joan. Laura Graham.
We were so very sorry to hear of the passing of Smiley! It was not that long ago that I (Maxine) had a wonderful chat with him at an event we both attended. I always enjoyed his enthusiasm, advice and of course his “smile”. Kelowna will miss him. I am very sorry that I am not able to attend the service. We are in city council all day Monday! I think Smiley would be alright with that as he sat in one of those chairs too!
Max DeHart
So sorry for his passing, I had the privilege of knowing Smiley through the Freemasons. He was “top drawer”. Wherever he is now, I know he’s still smiling.
May the road rise to meet you, the wind be always at your back. The sunshine warm upon your face, And until we meet again may God hold you, hold you in the palm of His hand. Love and Prayers, Grace S. and girls.
I have very fond childhood memories of Smiley and his family that I will cherish forever. He always lit up a room with his positive presence and laughter. His kindness, positive attitude and generosity has and will continue to influence my attitude on life.
Your family are always in my heart and mind. From my family to yours, our deepest condolences on the passing of your father.
We, Smileys friends in Sweden, heard the sad news that our dear friend Smiley has passed away. We want to send our love and deepest condolences.
Smiley was special to us, he almost saw and treated us as his own family in such a loving way. We have maintained the relationsship Smiley and our father and grandfather Carl had, thanks to Smiley. Smiley called us every Christmas Eve to ask if we had eaten any ”sill” and to ask about everyone.
Many of us went to visit Smiley in Kelowna. The welcome he gave us was something special and he was so friendy to us and he was always happy. Thanks to Smiley we also got to know his family, who took care of us when we visited.
Smiley had an expression we all use almost every day:”You know the drill”. This way Smiley is with us, always.
We want to send our love and want you to know that our thoughts are with Smiley and his family.
Love ”the Nordquist-family”: Carl-Erik, Ola, Björn, Åsa, Claes, Bengt-Åke, Gunilla, Ebba, Hanna, Per-Ola, Karin & Lisa
Lynn and Family
Smiley filled our day with joy when ever we chanced to meet always remembering our daughter common bond.We are so sorry for your loss. Our sincere condolences to the Family.
I have fond memories of “working” with Smiley in many Kelowna Musical Productions as well as the church choir. He always had a big smile, a kind word and will be sadly missed by many.
Our most sincere condolences to Lynn, Wayne, Don and the family. Please bear with me, this will be very personal. Smiley and I were from different cultures, different backgrounds, different education, streams, different careers; we lived in different social circles and yet we were the greatest friends. We skied and played golf together twice a week for almost 15 years. And yet again, we felt the same way in the face of so many events, occurrences. issues. We anticipated each other’s feelings, we saw the humor in the same places, laughed at the same jokes and with the same intensity, deplored the same injustices. We could finish each other’s sentences! as the saying goes! So with all the differences we had between us, we must have reached pretty deep in our soul to connect like we did and we really did ! I did not know where you were last week when I tried to contact you but I know where you are now, Smiley ! And still smiling: I see you….
Guy
Smiley was wonderful person who left goodness wherever he was. He will be sorrily missed but so glad we got to know him.
RIP Smiley. All my memories of you are so warm and welcoming. I loved visiting you and Joan when I was a kid. Thanks for those times xxx
Dear Don, Anne, Lauren, Blake, and all the family:
I am very sad to hear of the loss of Smiley, dad, father-in-law, grandpa, and all-around great guy! If I can be grateful for anything, it is for knowing Don, who displays the traits and characteristics of someone who certainly had an extraordinary role model. I pray that you, Don, continue the legacy of a wonderful father. May God bless you all.
Barb Struch, grateful to be…friend of the family
We are so very saddened to hear of Smiley’s passing. We just returned home and were shocked to hear of the news. We were privileged to get to know Smiley this past year as he was our bee mentor and friend. Ralph referred to him as a ‘Prince of a man’ and he will be missed dearly. Our thoughts and condolences go out to his family and friends.