Donald Arthur Smith
With profound sadness we share the news of Don’s death. Don passed with family and was surrounded by care, compassion and the love and friendship of many. Don was born in Edmonton and spent his carefree boyhood days with his twin brother and sisters in Edmonton and Seba Beach, a place Don loved dearly.
He became an Optician and a leader in Edmonton's optical industry, starting Smith and Wight Opticians among other stores before moving into direct sales. He mentored many and loved his profession while sharing his knowledge generously. Don fit hundreds of people with beautiful glasses that they treasure. He could pick out your favorite on the first try!
Don loved life – and it loved him right back. There was not a single person who didn’t love Don the minute they met him and he will be long remembered by his colleagues, neighbors, golf buddies and many friends for his humour, his “Dapper Don” appearance, his hugs, and his kind nature. He was a "true" gentleman.
He is beloved by his wife Sheila, daughters Kerri (Casey), and Dana, son Graham, and grandchildren Emma and Finn. Also deeply missing him are his brother Graham (Ingrid) and sister Wendy as well as nephews, nieces, cousins, and the “outlaws”. Family meant everything to Don and he showed it every day.
Don leaves a huge hole but also a huge legacy of “Don-isms”, laughter, friendship, cigar smoke, Robbie Burns nights, great glasses, hugs and love. A celebration of life will be held at a later time.
In memory of Don donations can be made to Pilgrims Hospice Society in recognition of the wonderful care he received.
Don Smith was my dad. I love and miss him everyday. My favourite part of our relationship was his ease in giving good advice and his hugs. My world has been changed forever and he will be sorrily missed.
Dear Sheila and Graham, Patti and I offer our condolences for your loss. Don sure was a bright light and we will remember him with that beautiful smile. May you be comforted with the many wonderful memories of your lives together. Love, Don and Patti
To all the family sincere condolences from Garry and I.
Last summer Don and I played pool at SEBA together and he taught me several smart plays. Using those shots will forever keep Don in my memories. Sandy
I knew Don through my brother at Macauley plaza/Smith & Wight. Always a smile, always happy to see you, a great guy and a true gentlemen.
Don was a great guy and a good friend. Don was one of those rare people that made you instantly comfortable.
I treasure my memories of golfing, smoking cigars. and eating haggis at Robbie Burns nights with Don, but mostly, and always, it was the interesting, intellectually challenging and funny conversations we shared.
I will miss him.
Shelia our thoughts are with you and the whole family. So many fond memories of Don . Always picked the best glasses for me and Wally remembers all the fun poker nights at McCauley Plaza sipping cold ones and cigars as well as at Seba. He will be missed .
Very sad indeed. I am one of the Opticians who benefitted from Don’s knowledge. Had the pleasure of knowing Don for a couple of decades and will miss his knowledge, experience and pleasant demeanor. Safe travels Don
Sheila and family. I also was a very fortunate Optician to have had the pleasure of knowing Don. He was a true gentleman. He was always so kind and willing to share his knowledge. He spoke so highly of his wonderful family. May you find peace in your beautiful memories of Don.
We are saddened to hear about Don. He seemed to always be in a good mood, very bubbly and a pleasue to be around. We have many good memories of Don.
He will truly be missed!
Dear Sheila and family,
Please accept my condolences on my behalf and Mood Eyewear. I was very fortunate to work with Don at Luxottica and for many years at my company Mood Eyewear.
I have so many good memories of working with Don. His kindness, always available to help and above all his “joie de vivre”. Not only I will miss my colleague but a dear friend.
Hope you find the courage to get through this very sad moment.
With all my love and respect for Don.
André
President
Mood Eyewear Inc
I worked for Don at Smith & Wight and have such fond memories of him. I still use 2 “Don-isms” regularly. The first “holy snappin’ eyebrows”, the second a response to the question how are you, which was “well, I’m just crisper than a summer salad!” He was a fun, kind and generous man. Condolences from Rick and me to Sheila and the family. He will be truly missed.
So very sorry for your loss.
Sheila & Graham, We are so sad to hear of Don’s passing. Don was one sunny fellow and always such a pleasure to be around. His good humour and kindness were ever present. He will be dearly missed. Our sincere condolences for your loss.
Cathy & Slavo
I’ve known Don since I worked for him at Oxford Optical in McCauley Plaza 48 years ago! A truly outstanding man, and the best ‘Boss’ ever.
I never ran into Don without getting one of his big bear hugs. He will be forever missed.
Sincere condolences to the whole family, treasure his memories.
Laurie
Dear Sheila and family,
We are so sorry for your huge loss.
Sending love,
Deb and Eric Anzinger
We shared a love of the lake and I have truly fond memories of friendship, humour and fun from our days at Westglen. Always a stand up guy together with his brother Graham. They were definitely “the good guys”
Dear Sheila and family,
So true Don mentored a lot of us and I can assure you that his kindness and compassion will never be forgotten.
Our condolences not just for your family’s loss but it is a great loss for the optical industry. His legacy will always be remembered by those of us who had the pleasure of learning from his wealth of knowledge.
Make he rest in peace.
Karim and the Walli family.
To Sheila, and your family, I am so sorry for your loss. Don was a delightful person, and I felt like an old friend after knowing him for only a few hours. Each time we met I felt so at ease, and looked forward to our visits. I hope you are managing ok through these difficult days.
Take good care.
Don will be greatly missed.
I miss the good fun times we had early in my carreer. There was always great camraderie.
To Sheila and the entire family,
In loving memory of Don, a remarkable soul whose kindness, compassion, and wisdom touched countless hearts. His ability to uplift others and share his gentle wit will forever be cherished. Don’s presence graced my life when we worked together over 17 years ago at Safilo, he is leaving behind a legacy of warmth and understanding like no other. I feel honoured that I had the opportunity to get to know him. Rest peacefully, dear friend. You will be deeply missed but always remembered fondly.
💔🫶Natasha
To Don’s loving family, my sincere condolences on the loss of a wonderful husband, father and friend. My memories of Don go back to early childhood and 125th Street in Edmonton, where my parents’ house was directly across the street from the Smith’s. My sisters Georgina and Peggy were friends with Wendy and Susan, and I was an adoring school and playmate of Don and Graham, the coolest guys on the block. We met very early in life and along with all the kids in the neighbourhood, played Cowboys & Indians, fed treats to the milkman’s horse every day (yes, it was that long ago!) and acted out various roles in the (questionable) plays we produced, all for the entertainment of patient parents. It was a perfect time to be young and grow up with Don and Graham, spending seemingly endless, joyful summers at Seba–which also included roller coaster rides on gravel roads and hanging out at the dump in search of bears. And much later I, like so many others, would have the benefit of wearing exceptional eyewear thanks to Don’s skill and creativity. He was the best in so many ways, and I was privileged to have known him.
Sheila and Family
We were sorry to hear of Don’s passing.
Though we had not seen each other in many years,
we always remembered our times together.
We still laugh at the stories and antics of Don and
Vaughn when they were young.
Our memories will always be of good times shared.
Hold tight to memories for comfort, lean on friends and family
for strength and take one step at a time.
I have wonderful memories of growing up in Edmonton, attending Westmount and Westglen. Don and Graham were a huge part of those memories — goofing around in class, hanging out on the school grounds, riding our bikes, Friday night skating, variety shows in the gym, attending sockhops and basketball games, countless trips to Eccelstons. So many laughs. A simpler time for sure. Don was fun to be around – always so sweet and kind. I cherish those memories. May you rest in peace, dear friend.
Sincere heartfelt condolences to Don’s family. He was without a doubt one of the finest people I have known. May his goodness continue to radiate through memories to help you through this difficult time. God Bless you all.
Don will be sincerely missed. Our heartfelt condolences to his family. He was fondly known to us as “Uncle Don”. He gave me the best coolest looking glasses ever! He was kind, compassionate and hilariously funny !
Rest In Peace, Uncle Don!
Dear Smith Family,
I have had the great pleasure of meeting and getting to know Don over the years. He gave me great advice in the optical business when I first started and he is why I am still doing it today. I am going to miss his smile & hugs. I want to Thank you for sharing such a great man and he will be so missed in the Optical world.
Diane