One of the men who died in the tragic ammonia leak at the Fernie Arena this week was from High River.

Lloyd Smith used to run the ice resurfacer at the Rec-Plex and had moved to B.C. just a couple of years ago to take over the job as Fernie's Director of Leisure Services.

His friend, Stuart Ray, the Executive Director with the Alberta Association of Recreation Facility Personnel says Smith loved his job.

"His passion for the recreation industry and helping others reach their recreation aspirations, whether it be just recreation, or just hard working folks. He was a quiet man, very soft spoken, but when he did speak it was worth listening to what he had to say."

Ray says when they found out it was a "shock, tragedy and he'll be dearly missed."

Ray says Smith hoped to use the job as a stepping stone in his career and was planning to come back to Alberta in a few years time.

Smith was also a trained paramedic, who'd worked in Alberta and South Eastern B.C. since 1996.

Ray says Smith thought of his paramedic work as "part time" and was dedicated to his work in recreation.

The Town of High River released a statement Friday concerning Smith's passing.

"The staff at the Bob Snodgrass Recreation Complex and the Town of High River are heavy hearted in the wake of the recent tragedy in Fernie.

Many people at the Town of High River knew Lloyd Smith well.  Some of them worked closely with him at arenas and aquatic centres in High River or Okotoks.

He was well-respected in parks and recreation circles as a knowledgeable and competent manager, mentor, and ambassador. 

He instructed at courses that members of our Arena team have attended for critical education and technical training. 

Our team is stronger for having worked with Lloyd. 

We want to extend our condolences and sympathies to the families of those men, and their co-workers and friends in Fernie, Okotoks and High River."

Smith along with two other men died when ammonia leaked during maintenance work at the arena on Tuesday, October 17.

He leaves behind a son.