Denzil Henry SMALL
On Thursday January 15, 2026, Denzel Henry Small of Clarendon Jamaica West Indies; and Edmonton, AB passed away at the age of 86 years.
Denzil will be lovingly remembered by three children: Gail, Dori and Nadine and their precious mom (Thelma Joyce); 2 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild; 4 sisters (Iona and Brenda) Ontario; Esther and Yvonne (UK); special nieces Verleta (Ontario), Joy (Edmonton), (Juliet) (Texas) and Donna and Selene (Jamaica); Nephew Lindo (Ontario) and many other family, friends and loved ones.
He is predeceased by his elder brother Joel and his parents Frank and Janet.
Denzil immigrated to Canada from Jamaica in the late 1960s as a full teacher.
He is a graduate of Mico Teacher’s College at that time the Government of Alberta was actively recruiting educators to address a severe teacher shortage. Shortly thereafter, as Alberta’s own universities began producing more degree qualified teachers, the government invited Jamaican teachers to upgrade their credentials at the government’s expense. Denzil accepted this opportunity and went on to graduate from the University of Alberta.
One of Denzil’s earliest teaching assignments was in Alberta’s historic Black settlement of Breton, Alberta. He later spent decades teaching in Alberta’s deep north at the Alberta Vocational Centre in High Prairie, Alberta, before joining the Comprehensive Teacher Program (Alberta Correspondence School), based in both Edmonton and Barrhead, Alberta, where he taught until his retirement.
Denzil was known as a thorough, patient, and methodical educator, deeply respected by colleagues and beloved by his students.
Outside of teaching, Denzil’s greatest passion was photography. For many years, he was the only Black photographer in Edmonton’s Jamaican community. He also had a deep love for gardening, maintaining a full backyard of Jamaican greens, and was a master of flower gardens. Denzil worked on and cared for the flower beds at the Alberta Legislative Grounds. A strong believer in fitness, he inspired many to develop discipline, consistency, and healthy workout habits.
Denzil loved his family and friends. May His Soul Rest In Peace.
To view Denzil’s service, please visit the following link
I know he’s up in heaven, stomping his foot and rubbing his belly while he eats tie-a-leaf, dumplin and oxtail. He will be dearly missed. Sending love and prayers to his family and friends.
Rest with the Lord Jesus my Brother and Uncle. Miss You Sister Iona and Nièce Verleta.
Denzel was very close to my father Prince Albert Petgrave (deceased June 24, 2018). They were like brothers. He is loved and missed by my family….Walk Good Denzil till we all meet again!-