Providing Service Beyond Expectations.
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Park Memorial Funeral Home Ltd is committed to giving the most caring and compassionate service to all who call upon us for assistance. We know what’s important to the families we serve. They’re the same values that have guided our family owned and operated business since 1941. Read More Here
SERVICE AREA
Edmonton and surrounding areas, Lamont, Mayerthorpe, Smoky Lake, Vegreville
I heard their radio ads and was moved by the compassion of the VP, Kirstie Smolyk. I knew we would pick Park Memorial to pre-plan our funeral no matter the cost. The entire pre-planning process was dealt with in a compassionate and professional manner. It will take the burden off our family in a time of mixed emotions and I encourage others to do the same.
Russ Luke
Brad Eleniak and the Park Memorial team were unbelievable to work with when we were trying to deal with the loss of both parents within a few weeks of each other. My family and I were pleased and touched by the staff’s level of sincerity, compassion and understanding. They took care of everything and we definitely appreciated what was done for us.
J. Coccimiglio
In response to Park Memorial's Grief Seminar featuring renowned speaker Dr. Alan Wolfelt: "I appreciate Park Memorial reaching out to the community and offering this important workshop. It helped me to feel validated in my thoughts and feelings. Thank you."
Anonymous
It seems like we were "guided" to seek your services... as if Dave was actually helping us with this journey. You were Heaven sent! From the moment I called your number, every possible concern was so graciously and completely taken care of by your staff! In the hour of our deepest sadness, there was nothing by kindness given to us. Right down to easing any financial burden, you carried us so gently along this unmarked path.
Marie Bonnell
- English,
- Cantonese,
- Mandarin,
- Polish,
- Portuguese
The Building of a Dream
Tod Smolyk started out in 1941 as a funeral director with a dream. He had his own embalming instruments, a fiancee, and 12 friends who had each contributed $100 to help him start his company. To be able to contribute his share, Tod had to donate his embalming instruments to the company at their appraised value.
Tod and his fiancee, Lucy Kostynuk, got married at 3 p.m. on November 29, 1941. Instead of heading out to enjoy a honeymoon, they opened the doors to their new funeral home at 6 p.m. that same evening.
Tod selected the name Park Memorial at a time when all other funeral homes in Edmonton carried the names of their owners. He wanted to ensure there were no overtones suggesting a preference to serve one religious denomination or a specific ethnic group over another.
Park Memorial's first hearse was a 1941 Ford panel truck that was converted locally and the first car used to chauffeur families was a used Studebaker sedan.
A Growing Network of Care
As business improved, the company expanded to communities outside of Edmonton. The Vegreville branch was purchased in 1943, the Lamont branch in 1946, the Vilna branch in 1951, the Wildwood and Mayerthorpe branches in 1955, and the Smoky Lake branch in 1956.
The present Edmonton building is not the original. The old building was sold and moved off the property and today's building was built in 1963 on the original site of Park Memorial at the corner of 97 Street and 111 Avenue. The current building was built right around the original as it was located on the space that is our front (north) parking lot today. The size of the original 1941 building was much smaller and would have fit entirely in the space occupied by our present chapel. Major renovations continued to improve the Edmonton building in 1986, 1994, and most recently in 2010. Major interior renovations were made in the Vegreville building in 1989.
In order to provide better service to the communities of Mayerthorpe and Whitecourt, a new, more modern funeral home was opened in Mayerthorpe on June 12, 1993.
The Park Memorial Family
Sadly, Tod passed away in 1976, but his son Jerry was ready and willing to carry on the family business. Over time, the company shares were all purchased back from the original investors by the Smolyk family, where they remain today.
Jerry and and his wife Midge, currently own all the company shares and continue as second generation owners. Their daughters, Kirstie and Lindy are also involved in the family business and work to continue on the family legacy of superior business quality and service. Kirstie, a licensed funeral director, is the Vice President of Park Memorial and Lindy, an elementary school teacher, still finds time to help out when she can.
As a family owned and operated funeral home, our goal continues to be to provide the best possible care and service to the people in our communities.
