Dr. Douglas F. Smith

1953 - 2018

Dr. Douglas F. Smith tragically passed away on February 3, 2018.

Doug was born January 2, 1953, in Port Arthur, Ontario. At the age of 4, he was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. As a boy, Doug spent years in hospital at Sick Kids in Toronto. It was a tough way for a young boy to get to the big city. As a patient, Doug decided to become a doctor, and so it was written. Long hours on his feet and endless days without sleep were not meant for a sick boy from Northern Ontario, no matter how brilliant he was academically; but to tell Doug not to do something was a sure way to get it done.

Graduating from McMaster Medical School in 1977, he chose his specialty, anesthesiology, and then on to a fellowship at Ohio State University, where he became part of the heart transplant team. He recently retired from the University of Texas Medical Branch as a Professor of Anesthesiology. He did much more in medicine, but I hear him saying, "Now that's enough of that."

Doug was married to and will be loved by Bonnie forever. He was father to Rebecca and Wade. He often said being their dad was his greatest accomplishment. He was grandfather to Annie, Maggie, Jack and Kate. They made him smile and cry over silly socks at Christmas.

His brother, Don, guided him through the early darkest days and championed him through the brightest. His sister, Donna, made him proud when she followed him into medicine. Doug was predeceased by his parents, Fred and Effie Smith, who loved him dearly. Family and friends made Thunder Bay his other home.

Doug hated bees. He loved fast cars, licorice of every kind, and good books of any kind. He loved "the camp." He loved dogs but barely tolerated cats. Doug hated cutting grass. He loved the bagpipes, which we guessed led to his jaundiced view of felines. He made the best cup of tea. Doug made a difference in this world; he left it better than he found it.

Doug's wishes were for a private funeral. His ashes will be scattered in places he loved.

The "Doug Smith Endowment" fund has been established with the help of Diabetes Canada. Each year a child will be chosen to attend camp in memory of Doug.

Donations can be made through this link.
http://crm2.diabetes.ca/goto/dougsmith2018

" Why use a small word, when a big one will do."

~ Doug Smith