The Township of Ignace and all of northwestern Ontario are mourning the loss of Dennis Smyk.
Smyk passed away in hospital in Dryden this week after a lengthy battle with cancer.
His family says throughout his long journey, he accepted the multiple diagnoses of cancer and other setbacks with the same strength and optimism which he lived.
Smyk is best known for running the “Ignace Driftwood” community newspaper, which didn’t miss a weekly edition in more than 40-years.
He was referred to by many as an ambassador for the area and was often called ‘Mr. Ignace’.
The community museum was recently named the “Dennis Smyk Heritage Centre”.
Smyk received the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2013 for his 50 some years of volunteer work.
Another one of his accomplishments was the work he did as Chair of the Friends of the White Otter Castle.
Smyk was 73 and a service to celebrate his life will be held on Tuesday at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Ignace starting at 1 o’clock.
