In the early hours of Christmas Eve, Donald Bruce Smith, beloved husband, father and friend, gently passed away at age 94. A loving husband of 63 years to Dorothea (née Bell) and a caring and attentive dad to Sharon Lee (Martin) and Laurie (Gabe). He is greatly missed by all, including his grandchildren Edith and Vivian, his sons-in-law, his extended family and many, many friends.

Don was born in 1929 in Hamilton. His family owned a pharmacy, where he helped out, inspiring pharmacy studies at the University of Toronto. This led to a successful, 35-year career with the pharmaceutical company Charles E. Frosst, later Merck. 

Don met Dorothea (Dot), the love of his life, in Montreal, where she was completing her nursing degree. They married in 1960 and settled in Peterborough. After relocating to Stony Lake, Don helped found the Douro-Dummer Fire Services (DDFS), where he volunteered for many years. 

Don was an avid reader, a war history enthusiast, and a skilled tinkerer. His homes, boats and cars were continuously improved upon and always kept in perfect working order. 

He was the undisputed life of the party. Friends treasured his sense of humour, gregarious manner, kindness and generosity. 

In 1996, after some years in Mississauga, he and Dot retired to Lakefield, where Don’s passion for boating meant cruises along the Trent Severn waterway, including the family’s beloved Stony Lake.

In retirement, Don enjoyed close friendships with neighbours of all ages and became active with the Lakefield Horticultural Society. 

Don’s family would like to thank the physicians and nurses at Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) and are grateful for the exceptional and empathetic care he received. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations directed to the Palliative Care team at PRHC. 

A celebration of Don’s life will be held on Saturday, May 25 at the Marshland Centre in Lakefield, Ontario at 3:00 PM.