Alton D. Smith

Alton Douglas Smith

When sitting at home, thinking about my dad, I cannot imagine not writing this from my heart and being able to share some of him with you. Buckle up, if you know us, we both love to talk and I love to talk about him.

My dad passed away suddenly, at the age of 66, during the first weekend of October. We received news in June of 2025 that he had cancer in his kidney and it had spread. Dad had amazing results only after his very first treatment, with his main tumour shrinking by over 60% along with everything else. Prior to this diagnosis, he was also diagnosed with congestive heart failure back in 2020. He fought hard throughout everything, going into each treatment and appointment with a smile and all while continuing to work during its entirety. I would like to personally thank all of the Health Care members who have treated and/or spoke with dad over these past few years. He spoke very highly of you all and you made his strong distaste for hospitals a lot milder.

My dad grew up in Liverpool and was the son of Alfred Smith and Rose Mosher. As a kid and teen, he enjoyed playing ball, bowling and playing ball hockey. Dad and mom were high school sweet hearts from 1979-1982. Dad worked as a spare at Bowater Mersey Paper Mill and fished on the scallop draggers after high school until he took an electrical course at NSCC in Bridgewater. Dad later joined the Navy as a NET (C) in 1983, where he was stationed in Esquimalt in 1984. Mom and dad got engaged in 1985 and got married the following year. In 1993, they moved back to BC, bought their first house in 1996, and adopted me in 1998.

Mom and dad bought our trailer and lot in Honeymoon Bay on Vancouver Island in 2002. Dad taught me how to ride my bike and how to fish there. This is also the time when we got our first dog, Macy. While in BC, dad learned to love golfing with Uncle Jack and mom and dad curled in a mixed league on Friday nights.

We moved back to NS when dad retired from the Navy after 21 years of service with a PO2 rank in 2005. Dad worked as a security guard at the call centre before acquiring his job with Nova Scotia Power in 2007 and became a Regional Planner, which he loved. To meet someone who so enjoyed their work was to meet dad. Over his years there, he made many friends and coworkers who he spoke very highly about to his family.

Dad enjoyed hunting and fishing, especially with his brother, Carleton. Anything to do with the woods - dad was in. Whether it be going for drives, long walks with family, friends, or alone, he was always excited to be in the dirt and trees. In the wintertime, dad really enjoyed curling at the Liverpool Curling Club. He also spent a lot of time visiting me and my animals. Him and I spent countless hours on the phone talking about anything and everything. In Summer, dad would often go for drives to his favourite place to get produce (Bob & the Boys) and would often drop me off fresh berries and/or hodge podge ingredients. He would do anything for his family and always showed up for everyone. He was genuine and loved big.

My dad has had so many encounters with so many people and loved to talk. He loved to talk to people about where they lived, their commutes, or if they were going traveling. Dad knew almost every route in the province and was a human form of a GPS. He even made a hand drawn map for his niece, Amanda to help guide her on how to get to their camp at the flowage.

Stephen - Thank you for continuing to go on adventures with him and even showing him some new places. He beamed every time he told me about the places you two would go. He loved you dearly, as if you were his own.

Aunt Donna - You are his only sister and he cherished the dates you two planned. He would always call me about where you two were off to for lunch and he would always rate his meals. He loved you so much and that love can never be replaced.

Mom - The love that you two shared throughout the last 28 years of my life has formed an unbeatable standard. Through your marriage and after, you both stuck by each other’s side and cheered each other on, even if it meant you weren’t side by side anymore. Thank you both for honouring your vows and taking care of one another in sickness and in health.

Mark - You were one of his colleagues he spoke of often. He would often tell me that you two were going to scope a job together, going to have a trainee with you for the day or go to training. I’ve heard your name so much from him. Thank you for being there for him and giving him company on commutes.

His Supervisors, Coworkers and Shipmates he’s had over all of his years at NSP and in the Navy, please know he spoke highly of you all and I thank you for all that you did for him. He thoroughly loved what he did and who he did it with.

Although dad only had 66 years on Earth, the impact he had on those whose hearts he touched is otherworldly. To be able to share his stories is an honour and I am so lucky to have had him as my dad. He always was firm on his beliefs that he did not want a funeral or service. Instead, go for a walk in the woods, look for deer, and think of him.

Thank you for reading about the best man I have, and will ever meet, my dad. Hayleigh