Smith, Douglas Robert John 'Doug'
Doug Smith passed away peacefully with his daughter by his side at Chapman House Hospice in Owen Sound on Sunday, August 13, 2023 one day after his 90th birthday.
Born in Meaford on August 12, 1933, a son of the late James Robert Smith and Ida May (nee Clugston) Smith.
Doug was predeceased by his first wife Helen in January 2000, after 40 years of marriage.
He was the beloved father of Lori Patterson (John) of Gravenhurst, and also leaves: John’s children, Shawna and Cameron, and his granddaughter Brooklyn.
He was predeceased by his second wife Eunice in November of 2022, and is survived by Eunice’s four children, their spouses, six grandchildren and four great grandchildren.
He will be remembered fondly by his brother Murray Smith (Linda) of Sudbury, sister Dorothy Carnahan (late Allan) of Guelph, sister-in-law Dorothy Nesbitt (late Craig) of Thunder Bay, sister-in-law Shirley Sherriff (late Don) of Brampton, cousin Stuart Clugston (Penny) of Duntroon, cousin Carol Jolley (late Lindsay) of Owen Sound, and will be remembered fondly by many nieces, nephews and their families.
Doug was a dedicated teacher for 36 years, 2 years in Lily Oak, 2 years in Massie and 32 years in Etobicoke. He enjoyed travelling and had many memories of trips taken with Helen and Lori. Doug and Helen’s last trip together was their dream cruise on the Rhine River in May 1999 to celebrate their 40th anniversary. Summers were spent at the cottage at Sunnyside Beach in Meaford until it sold in 2021. He lived at Summit Place apartments for several years and made some wonderful friends there.
Lori and John express their gratitude to the staff at Chapman House Hospice for their exceptional and compassionate care of Doug. Special thanks to Dr. Kelly Fenn and her Palliative Care Team. They also thank Doug’s friends at Summit Place – in particular Jim Howe and Sharon Watson. They were all special friends to Doug and have also supported Lori through the last several months. Doug appreciated and enjoyed his visits with friends and family who came to visit him at Chapman House.
A Celebration of Doug’s Life will take place at the Meaford United Church on Thursday, August 24, 2023 at 2 o’clock. Doug’s immediate family will receive friends for visiting from noon until the time of service. A private service of committal and interment will take place at Lakeview Cemetery in Meaford at a later date.
As your expression of sympathy, donations to the Residential Hospice Grey Bruce – Chapman House, Owen Sound Hospital Foundation, or the Meaford United Church (Cheques Only Please)
would be appreciated and may be made through the Ferguson Funeral Home, 48 Boucher St. E., Meaford, ON N4L 1B9 to whom arrangements have been entrusted. www.fergusonfuneralhomes.ca
Details
Visiting at the Meaford United Church from noon until the hour of service
Thursday, August 24, 2023 2:00 PM
Celebration of Doug's Life at the Meaford United Church
Make a donation in memory of Douglas Robert John 'Doug' Smith
Donations: Residential Hospice Grey Bruce 'Chapman House', Owen Sound Hopsital Foundation or the Meaford United Church (Cheques Only for the Church Please)Donate with the following link(s)
https://app.etapestry.com/onlineforms/ResidentialHospiceGreyBruceIn/general_donations.html
https://www.oshfoundation.ca/donate/
Donate securely through Ferguson Funeral Home
Wednesday, August 16, 2023
My brother, Doug, was a loving and supportive son to our mother May (Clugston) Smith and a loving brother and friend to his siblings Shirley-d.2017(Karl-d.2015), Murray (Linda), Dorothy (Allan-d.2019) and to their families. We will miss him dearly. Doug was also very ‘dedicated’ in keeping in touch with the generations still living of his parents’ families and I know they valued his friendship.
Doug was an ardent baseball fan. He pitched for the Meaford ‘Orfuns’ for many years. The ‘Orfuns’ were a group of young men from Meaford who had moved to Toronto and decided to form a baseball team.
We were so happy that Doug married again after Helen’s premature death. Eunice’s family accepted him as one of their own and provided loving care for him during his illness.
Doug was a member of the United Church of Canada and was active in the United Churches where he lived over the years. Go in peace, Doug, and with our love.
Wednesday, August 16, 2023
My sincere condolences to Lori and all of the Smith family. I am so glad that I had a good visit with Doug and Lori at the Hospice last week. We both had many good memories of our times together at the old Meaford High School! So sorry that I won’t be able to be at the service next week.- we have been planning a family holiday together for the last couple of weeks of August, so I will be away at that time. Thinking of you.
Marj. Miller.
Wednesday, August 16, 2023
My deepest sympathies go out to Doug & Eunice’s family. He was a wonderful neighbour to me here on Cedar Avenue and I will always remember him fondly. I am so glad that I had a chance to speak with him one last time this past Sunday.
Charlene Boyce
309 Cedar avenue
Meaford ON
Wednesday, August 16, 2023
Our condolences to Doug’s family. I didn’t know the family but I knew Doug through baseball and the Orphans, and the Ontario softball association. He was a great guy. RIP Doug fly with the angels.
Wednesday, August 16, 2023
Doug will be greatly missed. He was always so friendly and welcoming of everyone. I will never forget how he traveled down to Toronto to attend my ordination service in the United Church. He remained a source of encouragement and strength over the years. Doug was an example of a good and faithful servant. My deepest condolences to all.
Wednesday, August 16, 2023
Doug was a wonderful neighbour! We moved 13 years ago and he was very welcoming and kind to us. He used to share stories from his teaching years which kept us in stitches. Rest in peace Doug! Our thoughts are with his family at this time.
Tom and jane.
Wednesday, August 16, 2023
My condolences to all of Doug’s family and friends. I remember him as a teacher and a pitcher for the ‘Orphans’ ball team.
Thursday, August 17, 2023
Doug taught me in Massie and he loved that little hamlet and the people there.He would always come to special events and was always so pleased to see his students from many years ago. He was a very special person
Thursday, August 17, 2023
Lori and John know that our thoughts are with you. We will always remember Smitty as the pitcher who struck them out with just three. He was a joy to be around and his positive attitude and kindness will long be remembered. Pam and Gerry Dressel
Friday, August 18, 2023
Thank you to everyone who is reaching out by phone and through this website. It means so much and is much appreciated to hear from you.
John and Lori
Tuesday, August 22, 2023
I remember Doug and his first wife Helen very well when we were members of
Thistletown United Church which was on the north side of Albion Road near Islington Ave.
For the 125th. Anniversary of the church in 1999, they wrote a Memory Moment of when they joined the church in 1962 and they were warmly welcomed by the minister at that time, Rev. Harry Martin. Lori was not quite two years old. They were pleased that they had so many friends at Thistletown United through the years. Doug was quite involved in the church He was Chair of the Official Board in the early 1990’s. When the church had their
125th. Anniversary in 1999, I was Chair of the Anniversary Committee and Doug was a member on the Committee in which we planned a wonderful weekend of a supper, a catered dinner, entertainers, and a special Anniversary Service on Sunday, May 30, 1999.
Helen passed away on January 12, 2000. When Thistletown United Church closed in 2002 Doug lived in Meaford, Ontario. He came down to Thistletown for the closing service on
June 23, 2002. We have kept in touch throughout the years . I also saw his picture and an article written about him in the Our Canada magazine which I have kept.
I remember him fondly.
Wednesday, August 23, 2023
The Sutherland Family would like to acknowledge the love and care given by Doug to our Mother – Eunice – and her Family for the past 20 plus years. We have many memories and photos of the family times in the Owen Sound/Meaford/Osbourne Lake areas, and during their ‘Snowbird Days’ in Florida.
Helping with his care during his health challenges and decline was done so lovingly by the family.
Doug truly was a ‘Bonus Father and Grandfather’ to Eunice’s children, their spouses and grandchildren.
He will be missed.
Wednesday, August 30, 2023
Val, so sorry for your loss I know Doug meant a lot to your family and your mother. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Thursday, August 24, 2023
I fondly remember a Doug Smith from Medford, a superior baseball player, as my grade 6 teacher at Fairhaven Public School in the 1950’s. He spent a lot of time coaching the school’s basketball, baseball and touch football teams. At his initiative he arranged for a few students to skip grade 7 and go directly into grade 8. Jumping ahead a year had a big impact on the rest of my life – including who was in my year at university where I met my wife. I’ve often silently thanked him over the last 60 years. I’m sorry I never got to thank him in person.