Wilfrid Laurier community mourns the loss of Ryan Smolkin
The Wilfrid Laurier community mourns the loss of Ryan Smolkin, valued Laurier alumni.
Known for his entrepreneurial spirit, Smolkin was the founder and CEO of Smoke’s Poutinerie.
Smolkin contributed to the Laurier community post-graduation by serving as a member of Laurier’s Vanier Cup champion football team in 1991. In 2012, he delivered a speech for a Student Leadership Summit. In 2018, he spoke again on brand building through entertainment as a part of the Entrepeneur Speaker Series.
Smolkin was the recipient of the Entreprenurial Spirit Award in 2019 for his work as a business founder and entrepreneurial leader.
A service will be held on Nov.2 at 1:30 p.m. for Smolkin at the Ottawa Torah Centre (111 Lamplighter Drive, Ottawa). A livestream is available for those who are unable to attend.
Smolkin’s family asks for donations to be made to We Care or a charity of choice in place of flowers. Those wishing to remember Smolkin can also share their thoughts on the Smoke’s Poutinerie website.
The loss of a member of the Laurier community has a profound impact on students and the university community. There are services and supports available for those who need them:
- Student Wellness Centres: 519.884.0710 x3146 or wellness@wlu.ca (Waterloo) or 519.756.8228 or lbwellnesscentre@wlu.ca (Brantford).
- Delton Glebe Counselling Centre: 519.884.3305 or glebecentre@wlu.ca.
- Dean of Students’ Office: 519.884.0710 x3533 or deanofstudentswl@wlu.ca (Waterloo) or 519.756.8228 x5716 or deanofstudentsbr@wlu.ca (Brantford).
- Laurier Human Resources employee and family assistance program: 519.884.0710 x2007 or hr@wlu.ca.