Obituary of Kristoslav Smilek

SMILEK, Kristoslav (Kris)

December 11, 1949 – February 27, 2024

With confidence in the resurrection of all those who die in the Lord, the family of Kris Smilek announces his call to rest from his labours in Jesus’ everlasting arms, at the age of 74. He is lovingly remembered by his children David Smilek (Lisa) and Daniel Smilek (Shelley), and his grandchildren Anna, Joshua, Chloe, Eva, Caleb, Noah, Luke, Lydia, and Grace Smilek. He is also remembered by his siblings, Dagmar (Jan) and Pavel (Lydia) in Czech Republic. Kris was predeceased by his wife Mila and his parents Kristoslav and Dagmar (nee Kurova).

Kris was born in Brno, Czech Republic on December 11, 1949. He was married to Mila Smilek on July 17, 1970, in Prague, after which they moved to Brno, where their sons were also born. In 1980, he took courage to lead his family out of communism, spending one year in Austria before settling in Mississauga, Ontario. Kris started his career in Czech Republic as an architect and worked in the field of architecture in Canada before retiring to build a home in Amaranth Township with his wife Mila, where they kept a property and took up beekeeping following her retirement.

Over the years, his children and grandchildren have been the beneficiaries of his many creative and innovative building projects and enjoyed spending time with him camping in Algonquin Park. Never one to “go with the flow,” he raised his sons to be in the world but not of it, to look to God’s Word as the source of all wisdom, and to pray unceasingly.

The funeral service will be held at Grace Lutheran Church, 136 Margaret Ave, Kitchener, Ontario on Friday, March 8, 2024, at 11:30 a.m., with luncheon to follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Redeemer Lutheran Church in Sudbury, Ontario: Box 2188 Station A; Sudbury, Ontario P3A 4S1.