Donald William Smith

Born in Atlanta, GA, Donald "Red" Smith grew up in Alabama where he starred on the Glencoe Yellow Jackets basketball squad. A US Army Veteran, he served from 1952-1954.

Donald met his "honey", the former Doris Jean Russo, in 1953 and they were married in Brick NJ in 1954. He graduated with honors from New Jersey Institute of Technology with an engineering degree in 1959 before settling in Ocean County 42 years ago.

Donald was a visionary who started D.W. Smith Associates in 1965 and grew it into one of the most respected engineering firms in NJ, responsible for designing many of south Jersey's original retirement communities. Donald also served tirelessly on various zoning and planning boards, as well as the Ocean County Society of Professional Engineers, the Brick Township Housing Authority and the NJ Shore Builders Association, among others.

Donald was an avid golfer and member of Woodlake Country Club and Metedeconk National Country Club, and participated in numerous local tournaments and club championships, even winning a few. He met many lifelong friends on the golf course and enjoyed the camaraderie and the competition, as well as his three holes in one!

He especially enjoyed traveling the world playing golf with his favorite partner, his wife Doris.

Known for his generous heart, Donald was a longtime supporter of many local charities, but was especially fond of the Ocean County Council of the Boy Scouts of America, from whom he received the Good Scout and Loyal Buffalo Award.

Donald always put family first and enjoyed "table talk" with his many brothers and sisters in Alabama and holiday parties with his many in-laws in NJ. A doting "Pop" Donald loved playing cards with his numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.

A humble man, Donald was well respected and loved by many and he will be missed by all.

Donald was predeceased by his parents, Evie Lee (Lewis) and William Lee Smith; sisters, Mildred Smith, Mary Francis Owens, Norma Louise Parker; brother, B. F. Smith and his granddaughter, Mary Elizabeth DeLuca.

Surviving is his loving wife (his “honey”) of 60 years, Doris; 2 sons: Lee and his wife Jennifer of Brick, and Mark and his wife Connie of Pt. Pleasant; 1 daughter: Lisa DeLuca and her husband Andrew of Naperville, IL; 9 grandchildren-Alycia, Brian, Lauren, Erica, Teresa, Nolan, Joseph, Courtney, Catherine; 6 great-grandchildren- Emily, Sarah, Matthew, Hannah, Michael, Caleb; 2 sisters: Marjorie Lyons and Renelda Loring; and 2 brothers: Melvin and Thomas.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday at 9:30AM at Church of the Visitation, Brick, NJ. Entombment will follow at Ocean County Memorial Park, Toms River.

Friends may call at D’Elia Funeral Home, 1300 Vermont Ave., Lakewood, on Friday from 2-4 & 7-9PM. For more information, or to post a tribute online, please visit www.deliafuneralhome.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Donald’s name to the Boy Scouts of America, Jersey Shore Council, 1518 Ridgeway Rd., Toms River, NJ 08755.