A Different Kind of Honeymoon
If you are sensing an unusual and beautiful love story… you are correct.
On November 29, 1941 Tod & Lucy Smolyk were wed at three o'clock in the afternoon. Their honeymoon began at six o'clock… when they opened their new business, Park Memorial Funeral Home in Edmonton, Alberta.
Tod & Lucy Smolyk on their Wedding Day
In early 1941, Tod was a Funeral Director and Embalmer who desired to open his own funeral home. Lacking funding but full of drive and confidence, Tod went door-to-door on the 97th street corridor, seeking 12 investors to contribute $100 each for a share in his venture. At one of the doors he knocked on, Tod was met by a young woman named Lucy Kostynuk. Her father had passed, and she had a small inheritance from his estate that she chose to invest into Tod’s venture. In the days that followed, she would become his biggest investor, his bride, and the mother of their children.
It’s Official! Edmonton Journal, November 1941
Tod ran the funeral home with very high — nearing perfection expectations. As the Smolyk family expanded to include son Jerry and daughter Connie, so did their Park Memorial family of funeral homes. After buying out all of his original shareholders…except his bride…Tod expanded Park Memorial into locations in Vegreville, Lamont, Vilna, Mayerthorpe, Smoky Lake, and Wildwood between 1943 and 1956. In 1963 the present Edmonton chapel and offices replaced the original.
Park Memorial Funeral Home, Circa 1980's
Tod & Lucy’s unique love story added many more pages and memories in years to follow until Tod’s untimely passing in 1976. Since then, two generations of the Smolyk family have led the Park Memorial family of funeral homes that still include Edmonton’s flagship as well as branches in Mayerthorpe, Vegreville, Lamont, and Smoky Lake. Tod & Lucy’s son Jerry was at the helm following Tod’s passing, and has since passed the torch to daughter Kirstie over a decade ago.
Jerry and Kirstie Smolyk, 2005
In tribute of this National Mom and Pop Business Owners’ Day, we are honoured to share our unique and humble beginnings. Though the love story that started Park Memorial is unlike most, the drive, commitment, and hard work that have sustained our business is the same as has built and sustained most successful small businesses. We tip our hats to all of the other ‘Moms & Pops’ who contribute to Canada’s economy being made up of over 90% small business ventures.
1956 Park Memorial Fleet of Vehicles
