Donald M. Smith (Donnie), 82, passed away peacefully in Liverpool N.S. on October 26, 2013.
Born in Liverpool, Don was the only child of Senator Donald Smith and Florence Elizabeth (Beth) Morton Smith – both of Liverpool.
He was educated in Liverpool schools, attended Kings College and Dalhousie University (BSc) in Halifax and graduated from McGill University in Montreal with his Bachelor of Engineering. He joined Irving Oil Refinery in Saint John, NB in 1959, then joined Imperial Oil at the Dartmouth Refinery in 1974 and then their Head Office in Toronto. He moved to Fort McMurray, Alberta in 1977 and worked with the Syncrude Project during its’ first 14 years of operation, retiring at the age of 60 and returning to his home in Liverpool. Don was active in sports, enjoying basketball, hockey and rugby at high school and university level. As an adult Don enjoyed curling and golf and watching baseball. He became an avid bird hunter in Alberta and was known to his companions as “Hunter” Smith. Don was in the Liverpool High School Marching Cadet Band and started playing again in retirement with great enjoyment in the Bridgewater Fire Department Band, the Bowater Mersey Band and the Mahone Bay Legion Swing Band. He loved spending time with family and friends and will be missed.
Don is survived by his wife Mary Katherine (Hughes), children Heather (Richard Huggard, children James, Ian) of Fall River, Michael of Halifax, David (children Sara-Anne, Kristi-Lyn, Jami-Lea) of Elmsdale, Valerie (Morris Young) of Grand Prairie, AB, and Michael MacKinnon (Mal, children Courtney, Jason, Tammy, Amy) of Andrew, AB, and 7 great-grandchildren.
Don was predeceased by his first wife Barbara Elizabeth (Beth) Thompson, and son Peter Andrew (children Andrew, Katie) of Elmsdale.
Cremation has taken place under the direction of Chandlers’ Funeral Home, Liverpool, where visitation will be Wednesday, October 30, 2013 from 7:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. and where funeral service will be held Thursday, October 31, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. Burial will be in Zion United Cemetery at a later time. Family flowers only, donations may be made to Queens County Food Bank or charity of your choice. Online condolences may be made to www.chandlersfuneral.com
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George & Carolyn Parnell
Sending our sincere sympathy to the family; our thoughts and prayers are with you at this sad time.
Norma & Leon Robertson
Mary,We are so sorry to hear of Donnie passing.. We will miss him at Friday suppers.Our deepest sympathy, Hugs and prayers for you and family.
Norma & Leon
Donna and Bucky Norman
Mary:
Sorry to hear about Don’s passing. Thinking of you at this difficult time.
Sue Beaumont
Mary I will so miss Don at the Curling Club, he could make me laugh, make me mad and make me enjoy being in the ice shed or the kitchen, He will be missed by many.
David Friendly, President, Mahone Bay Legion Swing Band
Mary: The whole band is saddened by the loss of Donnie. He was a stalwart member of first the trumpet section and then the saxes. His commitment to music was obvious by his enthusiasm and by the number of bands with whom he played over the years. We offer you our condolences and will be there Thursday to celebrate his life.
Bruce and Melanie Inglis
Donnie and I became friends in Kiwanis back in 1998 and I have enjoyed seeing him ever since. He always had a friendly word when out with his dogs or appearing with the band. He will surely be missed by many.
Steven and Brenda Kennedy
Dear Mary and Family,
We are so sorry to hear of Donald’s passing.He was a kind and gentle person every time I saw him with those beautiful dogs in town. We at the shoe store will miss his rush in visits and short stories.
God Bless,
The Kennedy’s
judy quinn
He will be missed by all that new him
Staff of Liverpool Home Hardware
We were shocked to hear of Donnie’s passing, he will be missed by all of us.
Peggy Kelley
My thoughts and prayers are with you all in your time of sorrow.
Robyn Bertling
We are saddened to read of Donald’s passing. We always enjoyed his visits at the accounting office. He always had a quick wit and a smile. He will certainly be missed. We looked forward to seeing his fur babies walking with him. Our condolences, The Raymond Yuill team.
Carolyn Stewart
Heather, Richard, James and Ian,
So sorry to hear of your loss, I met Mr. Smith at a game in Liverpool nearly two years ago and understand you must be missing him dearly.
My prayers are with you.
Carolyn & Keirtan.
Peter & Joanie Davies
Mary & family,
Our condolences to all at this sad time for you all. God Bless, will keep you in our Prayers.
Earl and Debbie Jefferies
Daved, our thoughts are with you and your family at your time of loss.
Shirley & Paul Shot
Dear Mary and family: To say Don was one of a kind would not begin to describe him. He had such a whit and could get his friends going with just a word; and from experience I know he loved every minute of it.. He enjoyed his life and especially the walks he took with his dogs. I know you must feel part of you is gone. He loved you and his family very much and he will never be forgotten. You are in my prayers.
Bligh & Jackie Woodworth
Marry & family:
our prayers and sympathy are with you and family at this time, Don will be sadly missed.
Fr. Brian Murphy
Dear Mary, I want to express my sympathies on the death of Don. I have fond memories of meeting him while he was walking his dogs. He would often stop and we would talk and have a laugh. Please know that you and your family are in my prayers at this time. Yours truly, Fr, Brian Murphy
Laura Smith
I met Donnie in the Mahone Bay Legion Swing Band. I will miss his playing, his charming ways and willing smile. It will take quite awhile to get over his absence in the band and my heart goes out to his family and friends. I am sorry I am unable to attend the service today; it would certainly be an honour to stand and be counted among his friends.
janet walsh madonell
Heather, Michael, David and Mary
So sorry to hear of the passing of your father and partner in life, I just heard and will light a candle at the shrine at Mabou tomorrow for him and all of you. Its a magical place as I am sure Don is at.
life is wonderful and live it everyday as we know many things are put off to do other things when we should live and dance with whatever song is playing.
Janet
Bob & Carol Wilkinson
Mary & Family
Sorry to hear of Donald’s passing. We have fond memories of Donald and will surely miss him at the curling club this winter.
We always enjoyed the chats we had with him when we would meet him walking with Teddy & Emma.
We pray that God will give you comfort at this sad time.
Liz & Nelson Boland
We are so sorry to hear about Donnie’s passing. Will keep you in our prayers.
Brenda Lawrence
Mary and Family . So glad to have met you and Don. You were both very caring for each other . Sorry to hear of your loss . Thinking of you and your family at this difficult time . Sincere Sympathy . Brenda Lawrence OPD .
Mimi Champagne
I was saddened by the news of Don’s death. I enjoyed playing with him in Shelburne’s Pit Band and will miss his sense of humour!
My most sincere condolences to Don’s wife family.
Clifford and Sally Grant
Dear Mary, we are both saddened on the news of Don’s death. Immediately we thought of all those good times in Fort McMurray, those many years ago. We still laugh the time Don went missing from the Keyano at intermission, only to find he had gone to our home as he was bored and he decided his time would be better spent with Sally’s Mom, Margaret. He was so great company with the most outrageous laugh. The pair of you have been real friends.
Ave et vale, Don.