Obituary of D. Lee Smith

SMITH, Donald “Lee” passed away November 13, 2013 at St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital in his 86th year. Lee was the beloved husband of Shirley (nee Parker) for 66 years. He was a much-adored and gentle father to Ken (Velma) of St. Thomas, Jeannette of Vancouver, Terry (Julia) of Chatham, John (Joan) of Toronto, Jeff (Melanie) of Calton, and Donnalea (Don) Shearer of South Carolina. He was also the proud and much-loved grandfather of Greg (Janice), Scott (Crystal) and Brent (Sheri), all of St. Thomas; Ben (fiancée Daisy) of Toronto, Josh (friend Andreea) of London, David (Katy) of Chatham, and Joel (friend Ashley) of London; Matthew (Liisa) of Toronto and Laura (fiancée Trevor) of Waterloo; Ashlee (Craig Hooghiem) of Aylmer, and Kristin of Calton; Michelle Middleton of South Carolina. He dearly loved his great-grandchildren Jayce, Janessa, Alyssa, Andres, Haylee and Lauren. Lee was predeceased by his parents, Helen and Herman Smith of Sparta, and sister Shirley (late Alfred Robertson). He remains the cherished brother of Marion (Craig Otto) of Guelph, Robert (late Marilyn) of Cambridge, Barbara (Robert Cox) of St. Thomas, and Arthur (Vonna) of Waterloo. Lee was also the kind uncle to numerous nieces and nephews. He retired after many years at United Technologies. He was a longtime active member of the United Church of Canada and sat on a multitude of committees and boards locally, provincially and nationally. He was past Grand Master of Masonic Lodge 302 and three-time President of the Rotary Club of St. Thomas, having achieved four Paul Harris Fellow awards. His other contributions to the Rotary Club will be fondly remembered for a very long time. Countless other lifelong contributions to family, church and community are just too numerous to mention here. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him. The family wishes to thank all the wonderful hospital staff who cared for Lee, as well as Dr. Jones, his family physician. Visitation will be held at the Shawn Jackson Funeral Home 31 Elgin Street, St. Thomas (519-631-0570) on Sunday, November 17, 2013 from 2:00 to 4:00 and 7:00 to 9:00pm, where the funeral service will be held in the chapel on Monday at 11:00am. Private Interment in Elmdale Cemetery. In lieu of flowers and in memory of Lee, donations may be made to the Mission and Service Fund of the United Church of Canada, the Rotary Club of St. Thomas, or a charity of your choice. Visitation Sunday, November 17, 2013 2:00 to 4:00 and 7:00 to 9:00pm Shawn Jackson Funeral Home Funeral Monday, November 18, 2013 11:00am Shawn Jackson Funeral Home Memorial donations are being accepted in memory of D. Lee Smith for :Mission and Service Fund of the United Church of Canada Rotary Club of St. Thomas Service Information