SMITH, Rev. Dr. Donald C. Smith

SMITH, Rev. Dr. Donald C. Smith  –  Died peacefully on July 19, 2023, age 95.

Beloved husband of Margaret (nee Finlayson), his wife of 65 years, and loving father of Fiona (Tom), Sheila, Neil (Jackie) and Laura (John). Dear grandpa of Owen, Delaney, Neve, Sheridan and Mackenna.

Predeceased by his brother, Russell.

He was born in Toronto on May 26, 1928, to Douglas Robert Smith and Laura Jeannie Cantlay and was educated at Rawlinson Public School and Vaughan Road Collegiate.

While in high school he joined the CCF and was a lifelong New Democrat.

His family were members of Oakwood Presbyterian Church and as a young man Don was active in the Presbyterian Young People’s Society (PYPS) and he and Margaret spent many summers with friends at Glen Mhor Camp in Muskoka.

He was a graduate of McMaster University, Knox College (U of T) and received his Ph.D. from the University of Edinburgh. He was ordained in the Presbyterian Church in Canada in 1964 and served the congregations of Knox Church, Port Alberni, B.C. and St. John’s Church, Medicine Hat, Alberta where he and Margaret made many lifelong friends.

In 1976 he returned to Toronto as Director of Field Education and Professor of Church and Ministry at Knox College.

He was active in many denominational and ecumenical bodies including the Toronto School of Theology and the World Council of Churches.

Throughout his life he was passionately committed to social, economic and political justice and supported numerous progressive organizations and agencies.

He believed in ministry as social justice and in a new society – one of caring and compassion, of sharing and sacrifice, of social solidarity, of community.

Don and Margaret were active members of Union Church, Halton Hills and lived more than 30 years in Georgetown.

A private service will be held.