Donald Thomas Smith

Peacefully on December 17, 2022, just shy of his 99th birthday, in the arms of his loving family.

Don attended Bedford Park Public School and Northern Vocational in North Toronto. Member of the Anglican Church of Canada. Don volunteered with the Royal Canadian Air Force in WW2 and was stationed in England as an armorer with Group 6 Bomber Command. After the war, before marrying his wife Olive Burrows, Don built their home and his parents’ home on Hollywood Avenue. Later in life, he and his beloved brother Leslie extended the family cottage on White Lake. After 37 very successful years at Northern Telecom, (including the installation of the Alberta government’s mechanical switching network), “Dialtone Smitty” ended his long career at Northern Telecom by being responsible for the installation of Canada’s first digital telecommunications network, the longest in the world.

Don was a generous family member and neighbour: there wasn’t a small motor, appliance, car, wiring, plumbing or carpentry problem he couldn’t fix. He was a lifelong responsible hunter and fisherman. A welcoming host and a good dancer. A generous donor. An excellent boss and mentor to thousands of young men in Nortel installation crews across Canada. An accomplished downhill skier, after many ski trips to Europe and countless hours on slopes in Ontario and Quebec with children and grandchildren. He had a way with dogs and is missed by Karma, Lily and Goose.

Don said that marrying Olive was the best thing that ever happened to him and her loss to Alzheimer's in 2014 the very worst. Don fostered Olive’s dignity, independence and aspirations and her dedication to her family with careful consideration, long-term commitment and true partnering. He continued to lead his family until his death. He asked us to do our best and was there when things got tough.

Greatly missed by his daughters Catherine and Elizabeth (William), his grandchildren Michael (Katlyn), Megan (Jason), Kitty (Keith), Devin (Courtney), Ally (Eric) and beloved great-grandchildren Charlie, Jack and Liam. Sadly missed by his his sister-in-law Isabel Burrows, Ottawa and by his many Smith and Burrows nieces and nephews, including Michael Barringer (Shirley, Wales), the LaMere extended family, Tariq Bari Sheikh and Angela Stanley and dear childhood friends Jean and Peter Charters (White Lake).

Donald was predeceased by his beloved sisters Myrtle and Dorothy, and dear older brother Leslie. Dear younger brother Gordon (Montecito, CA) recently passed away on May 18, 2023.

A memorial service by invitation only has been arranged. Condolences may be left online at

https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/toronto-on/donald-smith-11068663.