Name: Oshawa Funeral Home
Address: Oshawa, ON

Andrea and Frances:  so sorry to learn of your father's death today when I was surfing the web. It has brought back happier memories of the good times that I shared with your Mom at UofT and later in Oshawa with your parents. You will both be in my thoughts.

Every geography class was an anticipated experience given to students by the unique, admired, respected and appreciated Mr. Smith.  Sincere sympathy to his
family.
Justine (Rose) McDonnell, Huntsville, Ontario

Mr. Smith's grade ten and thirteen classes took me through first year university geography like a breeze.  His lessons and style also served me well when I later taught high school geography.  More than anything he gave me an understanding of my physical world and his stories gave me a wonderful view of the people in it. Donevan Class of 66.

A great guy. He inspired my decision to become a teacher along with Tom Hodgeson. I tried to emulate their values and character. RIP Phil...here's to rocks and twinkling eyes; canoes fishing and MGB's

We send you our condolences, Andrea and Glenn.  It certainly has been a long time since we have made contact and it's sad that it had to be the loss of your dad that allowed us to track you down.  We are certainly thinking of you as you deal with the loss of your last remaining parent.  Mine are both gone now as well but Paul still has both of his parents living here in Oshawa.

~Paul and Lori NIcholson

Andrea & Frances,

A favourite teacher of mine from Donevan Geography. He was one of the guys'  We called him Smitty.  The year was 1958.....etc.  He actually introduced Geography to the secondary school system in 58 and wrote the curriculum for years to follow. We did class trips and things other classes only dreamed about.  He drove a black MGA 2 seater sportscar that I gloated over being enthused with English cars.  On Friday afternoon he would trade class time with other teachers so we could get a double all-afternoon Geography session and we would go somewhere and take our lunches.......Mostly to Mosport that was in the development process.  Trip objective was to study rocks in the Oak Ridges Moraine !!  I remember when he was married.  Justeene was working for Birks Jewellery part time and sold him his wife's wedding rings and had them sized.  One time Miss Murphy heard me call him Smitty and gave me a scolding saying you should have more respect but that was him he was one of the guys, we all called him Smitty.  The world needs more Smittys not fewer. He was never boring. Never.

John Harris & Justeene
Oshawa

I will always remember the twinkle in Phil's eye and the sly smile as he taught us - I never quite knew whether it was curriculum he was teaching, or another one of the many "life lessons" he was imparting to us! Truly he was a marvellous teacher and a guiding light for so many of us wayward, teen-aged students. Thank you Phil - we were blessed to have you as part of our lives.
Peter Andrews, Thornhill, Ontario

The one class I really loved was Geography. I remember it like it was yesterday and even considered geology as a possible career, all thanks to Mr. Smith

A unique teacher. He often 'borrowed' from his own Owen Sound adventures to perk up the class. Long after high school I came to know him as a passionate & knowledgeable man. We shared several new adventures in the out of doors. He is missed.

Expressing sincere sympathy to the family of a wonderful person, and devoted teacher during my years as a student at Donevan Collegiate.  He had an amazing rapport with us; the Donevan students of the '60's!  Enjoyed seeing him at the Donevan reunions, and/or meeting by chance at the Metro store from time to time. He will be missed, but well-remembered.

Phil Smith was an interesting person and teacher.  I have fond memories of his geography classes at Donevan Collegiate in the 60s and recently enjoyed his stories of shipping on the Great Lakes, especially the Owen Sound area.  He will be missed.

I respected Phil as a concerned professional who had the interest of kids at heart. I also enjoyed my times fishing and hunting with him having spent many hours sitting in a canoe with him . During those hours we got to know each other very well and a mutual respect and friendship developed . Although I have not seen Phil for a number of years I fondly remember him as  a very good friend, a concerned and compassionate professional and my world was a better place for having had him as a friend 

Tom Sears  former colleague at General Vanier

A great teacher from my days at Donevan Collegiate. He will be great loss to the teaching world and the students he taught.

As a former student of Donevan, I will always remember my favorite teacher...he inspired us to learn, not just about geography, but about life & the world around us. He was surely one of a kind...my sincere condolences to his family.

I had great pleasure to work with such a dedicated and delightful man as Phil. His sense of humour was greatly appreciated on a regular basis. My sincere condolences to you all. 

                                                  Martha Murphy (Oshawa, ON)

He will be greatly missed by his former staff at Central Collegiate. He was a fine VP but more importantly a good friend to all the teachers at Central. Bill Langley

Many of Phil's former students at Donevan Collegiate are mourning a great teacher and memorable character who inspired respect and affection.

Cora and I wish to express our deepest condolences to Andrea, Francis and their spouses. A friend for over 40 years Phil was a gentleman in the true sense of the word. We spent countless hours talking about life, particularly the military, and never disagreed. In Phil's words if  we held the reigns of government "everything would be just fine". I will miss him.
Eamonn

Phil was a pleasure to work with and had a good sense of humour.
I also enjoyed the company of Ann.  She was one of my favourite people.
I shall miss both of them, now.
Sincerely,
Fay Reid

OBITUARY

Philip F. Smith

January 18, 1934 – January 13, 2016

Oshawa Funeral Home

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