In Memory of Donald J. Smith

Don Smith—philanthropist, craftsman of buildings and careers, husband to Joan Smith and father of seven—was a true pioneer.

Born in Alberta in 1924, Don proved to be a natural entrepreneur, from showing neighbourhood kids movies at five cents a head to joining the Foundation Company as a superintendent at age 25. Don studied engineering at the University of Toronto. In 1949, Don moved to London and married Joan McDonald, who had her own ambitions in public service and politics. Neither career deterred the two from their shared dream of a large family, including seven children, 21 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

In 1951, Don and his brother David started EllisDon with a single home renovation project, and then worked up to university, office and airport projects, expanding the business into the $3.5 billion company it was when he passed away. One of EllisDon’s great achievements was winning the contract to build Toronto’s SkyDome (now the Rogers Centre).

At age 42, Don fought for the London Club to admit its first Jewish member, a feat for which Don received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Canadian Council of Christians and Jews. Don was a great philanthropist, supporting many charities across Ontario. He led a life well lived and very generously enabled others to do the same.

Don served as president of the Ontario Liberal party for three years in the 1980s. He raised $11 million in the three years leading up to the Liberal victory in 1987 that made David Peterson premier.

Joan, a former London city councillor, was elected to the legislature and served in Peterson’s cabinet. Don was named a Companion of the Order of the Business Hall of Fame in 2014.