Paul Bradley Smith
June 25, 1960 – December 31, 2025
Paul Bradley Smith of Saskatoon died Wednesday morning, Dec. 31, after a long struggle with pancreatic cancer. He was 65.
Brad was one of five children in an Air Force family. He was born in Winnipeg, spent early childhood years at several Air Force bases in Alberta and B.C., and high school years on the family farm west of Saskatoon. He was a skilled, self-taught, outside-the-box mechanic (he could fix just about anything), a magician with a welding torch and a gifted multi-disciplinary metal artist who learned from and worked with the late renowned Saskatchewan sculptor Bill Epp.
Brad’s 35-foot-long moving guitar, Robo-Ryff, was a sensation when it was displayed in Saskatoon in the ‘90s and later at exhibits in Toronto and Lyon, France. His hand-made metal and glass furniture (chairs and table) are in many Saskatoon-area homes, and commissioned wood-and-metal work can be seen at Amigo’s Cantina and the Capital Music Club, as well as a number of private homes.
He was predeceased by his father, Paul, and younger brother, Glenn, and is survived by his mother Floreen Hofer Smith of Langham, brother Blaine of Bowden, Alberta, sisters Lee of Woodbridge, ON, and dee, of the family farm west off Saskatoon, and a son, Brett Farkas-Smith, of Saskatoon.
The family is deeply grateful to the humane and caring medical teams who supported Brad, in particular Dr. Shaw and the surgery team at RUH; Dr. Zaidi and Emily, and the Cancer Clinic oncology team; the pain management team who made his life bearable; the palliative home care team who tried to keep him comfortable; and other fabulous support staff who stepped up. And for the final week of his life, the paramedics on several ambulance trips; and at St Paul’s Hospital, the ER and surgical units that cared for him during this drastic time of overcrowded and overtaxed hospitals; the palliative care team; and the caring staff at Glengarda Hospice. who gave him a safe place to land and let go. We are grateful. And grateful too that Brad’s pain is ended. Peace.
A Funeral Service will take place on Sunday, January 4, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at Emmanuel Church near Langham. (Take Highway 16 towards North Battleford and turn left on Township Road 382 for 8 km and then turn left on Range Road 3071 for 2 km. Google directions to church click this link)
A Celebration of Life Service at Amigos Cantina, 806 Dufferin Ave, Saskatoon, SK at 5:00 p.m.
Arrangements entrusted to Dalmeny Funeral Home 306-254-2022.
6 Responses
My heartfelt condolences to Brad’s family. Brad was a wonderful y unique and gifted man, and will be missed.
I had the pleasure of getting to know Brad through his art, and I’m grateful for that. Our home is filled with his pieces — each one a reminder of his talent, his curiosity, and the way he saw the world. He wasn’t just a gifted artist; he was a genuinely fascinating person with a deep, unmistakable passion for what he created. His presence lives on in the beauty he shared.
When I was in my teens I went to purchase my first car and Brad helped me pick one out. Later on when I wanted to learn about mechanics Brad would come to my house and help me work on vehicles. What he taught me has stuck with me, and I think of him whenever I’m covered in grease trying to blow torch some tripped hard to reach bolt. Thanks for the knowledge and lessons Brad. It really meant a lot
Rip
Rest in peace Brad not only were you a incredible artist ,and mechanic , you’ll always be remembered as a friend although we were never tight you always had time to talk and catch up share a laugh and wish me the best . Your art inspired me and many others you will truly be missed and looked apon fondly by all who had the privilege of Javier met you.
I had the great pleasure of spending time with Brad in the early 80s. He was a mechanical genius and I learned a lot from him. He and I also shared a love of Monty Python. I remember him telling me about the time when he and a friend were in the theatre watching a Python movie and the film broke in the middle of a scene. He and his friends stood up and carried on the skit for the audience. He was a truly unique individual and I’m grateful having known him. My father was Bill Epp and so we had that connection as well.
Sad to hear of Brad’s passing. We were good friends in the 80’s. We would cruise around Saskatoon in his truck, 50’s Fargo I want to say. It went through several iterations but everyone knew it was Brad. Yes, I was there for the Monty Python movie breakdown and improv. Never laughed so hard. When the movie started up someone in the audience yelled out, “Let them finish!” It was better than the movie. Brad was authentic. What you saw was what you got. And usually what you got was what was needed. He would literally give you the shirt off his back, if you were in need. His type does not come around very often. See you further on down the road, buddy!