Mr. Gary Smith

On Monday, May 6th, Emeritus Professor and former History Department Head, Faculty of Education, University of Toronto, Gary died in their Toronto home, holding the hand of his loving friend, devoted caregiver and lifetime partner, Margaret.

Beloved son of the late Eric (Ike) and Jean Guthrie Smith, Gary was born in Almonte, Ontario. An athlete, college boxing champion and scholarship student, Gary graduated from Queen’s University and studied on a post-graduate Sir Joseph Flavelle Fellowship at University of Toronto.

Gary began his teaching career at Cardinal High School, and after three years, Royal York Collegiate Institute in Etobicoke. Later career adventures included teaching Summer sessions at F.E.U.T.; as an Exchange teacher in Birmingham, England; as Commonwealth Institute Lecturer visiting over 1000 schools in England, Scotland and Wales; and, as a teacher in the original Lycee Canadien in St. Jean- Cap Ferrat, in southern France.

Whether as author, columnist, lecturer, guest speaker, keen tennis player, former CBC television co-host, or teacher, Gary was dynamic, energetic, exceedingly generous, informed, interesting, widely-read, and witty. He was a considerate, compassionate, loving companion, yet could dominate control of the television channel-chasing ‘clicker’, to watch deftly a myriad of features without losing any important program content or conversation. His students, friends and former colleagues remember Gary as an excellent teacher and may recall how enthusiastically and skillfully in the gym each year, he played out, single-handedly, his own series for American college basketball team finals! He was knowledgeable about movies, television and sports, and particularly interested in tennis, American college football, and American, British and Canadian history and politics.

Gary will be mourned by students, friends, and members of the Cameron, Guthrie, Smith families, especially Dorothy and Steven Thomson, and Cory Christopherson. Special gratitude for care and concern are expressed to staff at St. Michael’s Hospital, and Toronto Emergency Medical Services, and most especially to both Lyn Lambert and Family Physician, Dr. Peter D. Hopkins for access, kindness, and unwavering support over many years to both Margaret and Gary.

Following cremation in Toronto, a private, family service with interment will be held later, in Almonte, Ontario. If desired, memorial donations may be made to

The Salvation Army.