David was always someone I would stop to say hello to as I passed by his house . I lived just one block up from his family on Oxford Street . He was a great fellow and is very much missed by all . Growing up on Oxford Street was the best experience of many children in the late 1940’s and early 1950’s. 
Back in those years of the early 50’s we all walked everywhere in our neighborhood. I knew the whole family and always looked forward to a chat as I passed by the Smith home . 
I can only imagine how much David is missed by all family and friends . Bless all the wonderful memories he left with us . 
Nancy

To the family,

My deepest sympathy to all of you at this difficult time.
David and I went to school together and he was a good guy.
What a loss. He worked with my brother at Air Canada.

Selma Vineberg


Met Dave and his wife when I worked at the local farmers market... he would buy his fudge from my friend and  he always joking around..   offer him a sample of wine and he would point to Phyllis stating that was her dept lol.... he will be surely missed 

So very sorry to hear about my buddy Dave's passing. Thinking of you all at this sad time.  From your Christmas Tree buddy at the Forum, Lloyd  Smith

Dear Mrs. Smith, Angie, and Adam,
I was so sorry to hear of Mr. Smith's passing.  He is such a cornerstone of my memories growing up on Kline Street, so friendly and always with a smile.  He always seemed to be busy working on one project or another, or helping a neighbour with one of theirs.  But most of all of course I remember his fantastically scary Hallowe'en production and his neighbourhood Santa Claus that added so much to Christmas.  Your whole family played an important part in our neighbourhood, and not only for us kids.  I know you meant the world to Mum and Dad.  Thank you for all those years and days and moments playing in yards, hiding in alleyways, climbing fences, running as fast as we could, a great swing set and lemonade on the back porch.  You're all in my thoughts. With many hugs all around, Heidi (Petersen)

Dear Phyllis
I am so sorry to hear of your husband's passing. Sending kind thoughts to you and your family at this sad time, and wishing you comfort and peace in your cherished memories of Dave. 
With heartfelt sympathy,
Jennifer (Johnson) Mintern 
VG Class of '68

Peter and I wish to express our deepest sympathy to all of David's family. I have not seen David for years but, by the memories shared here, he was the same friendly and fun-loving person I remember from years ago. May those delightful memories of him warm your hearts at this very difficult time. 
- Peter & Lynda Rice

Our deepest sympathies to the entire family on the loss of your loved one.  May fond memories of wonderful times you shared together ease your pain. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
Silvy, Roger, Tanya, Eric, Emily, Filomena, Mario



Dear Phyllis, Angie and Adam.  Jeannie and I are very much with you in spirit since we cannot be physically there right at this time .....I hope that will change soon!  When we moved to the city in 1971, you all became such an important part of our lives and ..........the years of memories since!
We love you and want to know that you are very much in our thoughts!
Jeannie and Ken Langille (Lennie)

Phyllis, Angie and Adam,and Families,
I am so sorry to hear of David's passing. I knew David since I was 5, and loved him dearly. He had one of the biggest hearts of any man I have ever known!That handsome smile, and big hugs, will  leave me with great memories. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
With love, Patti


Terry and I, wanted to extend our sympathy to Phyllis and the family.  We have only known David since we started the farmers market but we always loved to chat and see his smile.  We are very grateful that we had the opportunity to do so. He was a loving man, with a huge smile whenever you met him.  He will be missed and remembered by all who were lucky enough to have known him. Take care of each other. Sending hugs and our friendship.

Phyllis and family.  Sorry for your loss.

I remember how much Dave enjoyed watching our dog, Dolores, chase the cats in the neighbourhood. We and Dolores miss you.

We're so very sorry to hear about Dave's passing. He was such a wonderful neighbour and friend and we loved our times together flinging snow or listening to his amazing stories of growing up in the area. He was a 'larger than life' character and we will miss him. I hope that Phyllis, Angie and Adam and everyone else manage ok during this difficult time. Warmest regards from John & Heather (the attached photo is Dave and our son Peter during the winter of 2015)

Dear Phyllis, Angie and Adam,
My condolences on your loss. 
For me, David was the best of neighbours. I shall miss him a lot and Kline street will never be the same.
May his memory be a source of strength to you and all of us who knew and held him dear.
Nick Pittas

Dear Phyllis;

Phyllis`s VGH Nursing Classmates of 1968 send our sincere sympathies to you and your family.  May Dave rest in peace.

Dear Phyllis, Angie, Adam and Family, 
I was very saddened to hear about Dave's passing.   I have many fond memories of working with him in the old Res Office in Scotia Square and being on the same shift with Dave, you knew it would never be dull! He had a terrific sense of humour and was a generous and kind colleague and friend. Another member of the Air Canada family who has left us too soon. I was so glad to run into him a couple of years ago and have the change to catch up. 

Please know my thoughts are with you  and I hope the good memories help sustain you through this difficult time.

Jean Helms Mills

Dear Phyllis:  
I was so sad to read of David's passing today.  I will call you soon.
My most sincere condolences.

Hugs to you, Angie and Adam

Love Veronica

Phyllis, Angela, Adam, Ann, and families,
David inherited his sense of humour from his father, Smitty.
We shall miss his friendly smiles and hugs.
With sincere sympathy upon your loss,
Joan.

Phyllis, so sorry to hear of David’s passing. Keeping you, Adam, Angie and families in our prayers during these difficult days.

We are saddened to hear of David’s passing. He was a fun neighbour on Kline St. The Smith  house was always the scariest on Halloween, with Dave jumping out from behind the tree & the goulish sounds coming from the house! One Christmas he had Santa visit out house much to the amazement of our young sons.I will never forget that. The boys were so excited!For years after they reminisced about ‘“the night Santa came to out house”.

 Our condolences to  you Phyllis & the family. 
 
Cindi & Marty Townsend 

Please accept our deepest condolences. I worked at Air Canada with Dave. Dave had a heart like no other and loved a good laugh! When Dave laughed, everyone laughed! May you find peace with all the beautiful memories built over the years with Dave and know he is basking in Eternal Light.  God bless.

Joan and Dan Dubeau

Dear Phyllis. We are so sorry to hear of Dave’s passing. Condolences to all the Family. Prayers and Hugs sent to all. 

Uncle Deer,

Our family knew David as Uncle Deer (hunting and Santa's reindeer) and no place was more fun for a kid to visit than the Smith's.  With all the pranks, sound effects, toys, singing animals, voices, delicious food, and the biggest hugs, it was the best.  

Some quick memories:
My first detention when I asked all my teachers to pull my finger. You can guess who taught me that trick! 
Being excited to fly because it meant I would get to see Uncle Deer at the airport. 
Christmas eve visits with fresh cookies and tea from Phyllis and a Keith's from David in later years, and hearing him brag about the number of lights on the tree. 
Big hugs and being affectionately called "killer". 
My mom yelling for David to not wind me up too much because, "there's a high wind before the storm!"
Receiving Harry Potter books from Uncle Deer and Auntie Phyllis - which brought me so much joy and connected me with some of my best friends.
How much love and generosity he and Phyllis shared with Tanya and I in the past few years and our visit to the Smith's being one of our trip highlights every time we were home. 

Love and thoughts from Toronto for Phyllis, Angie and Craig, Adam and Josette.

We'll miss you Uncle Deer, until we meet again. 

“To have been loved so deeply, even though the person who loved us is gone, will give us some protection forever." 
-Albus Dumbledore



Phyllis:

Please accept my sincere condolences. I didn’t know David well but I always enjoyed the moments of chatting with the two of you on your deck as I passed by on my evening walks.  Take care. 

Phyllis, Adam and Angie
My condolences to you all, Dave will be sadly missed. My thoughts and  prayers are with you at this sad time.

Sad news indeed, he was fondly remember as the jolly elf himself “Santa “ he loved to tell tales of getting a drive home from my dad Kenny Grant. Dad used to see how fast he could go to get out of the scotia square parking lot! And for those that knew my dad he always drove a big car. Let’s just say that’s why holy heck handles were invented. Dave would tell stories of nearly hitting poles, the exit door as it didn’t open fast enough and him wearing holes in the seat of his pants from sliding. Hope dad is waiting at the pearly gates to give him a drive. Hugs, peace & love from mom & I.

Our sincerest condolences to Phyllis, Angie (Craig) and Adam (Josette) as you go through this difficult time.  We will always remember his many stories and his wonderful sense of humour.  We will be eternally grateful for how he embraced us as family for over 30 years.

May you find comfort in your memories and feel the love that surrounds you now and always!

My sincere condolences to all the family of David. We all grew up  in a neighborhood of  many young people and were the kids of Oxford street. Lots of good times playing baseball, football or raiding an apple tree...and David being the oldest could reach higher to get the best apples!  Or congregating on another friend’s front garden wall to plan the next activity.  David was also a colleague from my early days at Air Canada and his parents and sisters were great family neighbours to my parents. Days long ago that we all remember. David lived his life with great enthusiasm and he will be missed.


We are very sorry to hear of your loss. Keeping you all in our thoughts. 
Regards from the Botma family ( Beech Street)

Pam and I send our condolences to all your family. Always enjoyed time with David.

My sincere condolences to Phyllis, Adam, Angie and other members of Davids family.  We joined Air Canada at the exact same time, shared the room at the Berkley in Montreal during training and departed from our company at the same time.  The good times we did have & the many a laugh we had. At times he was more like a brother than a friend. With the situation we have in our Province at this time this was not the kind of news I wanted to hear of my friend Dave. May you rest in Heaven Dave, we shall meet again. God Bless you Phyllis and family.   There are no tears in Heaven.

OBITUARY

David Austin Smith

8 February, 1945 – 19 April, 2020

JA Snow Funeral Home

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