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BORN
10/14/1942
DIED
10/13/2025
Kenneth Smith Obituary
October 13, 2025, was a perfect, warm and sunny Autumn afternoon. Doug passed away gently and peacefully while gardening in the front yard of his home on the Sechelt waterfront, one day short of his 83rd birthday.
He was born in the farming community of Yorkton, Sask. where his mother belonged to a large, extended Ukrainian family. He loved to spend his summers on his favourite Uncle John's farm. Even after his family moved to Edmonton, he still made that long drive back to his roots, despite those blinding Easter blizzards. From his Scottish father he learned to love nature, music, poetry and how to fix almost anything.
After studies at Ryerson, he started a career as an Environmental Health Officer for the Edmonton Health Dept., where he met his wife, Maureen. He then obtained a BA in Economics (U of A) and MBA (U of W). He went on to teach at BCIT and Kwantlen Polytechnic University, where he later became Head of the Business Department. He also spent several terms on secondment to SFU.
Doug and Maureen retired to a close-knit neighbourhood in Sechelt where he enjoyed his role serving as President of the Sechelt Seniors Centre. He was also Chairman of the Sechelt Village Residents' Association for many years. Local issues were important to him, but he had a particular interest in the environmental. He was a player/coach for the BCIT hockey team and a volunteer with the Westmount Community League children's hockey teams in Edmonton.
A man of many talents, he wrote and self-published three books: one about his childhood in Saskatchewan; the second was a treatise on 'Spirits', and, his proudest effort, dealt with all the cars he had personally owned-over 250-many of which were 'Collector Classics.' He also liked to acquire models of his special cars and proudly displayed his favourite specimens in curio cabinets in his home office.
He loved his group hikes in our lush forests, hockey in any form, sailing, pickleball (winning several medals at the BC Seniors' Games) and his cherry, fig and kiwi trees. And he never left the house without doggie cookies in his pocket. His only regret in life was that he couldn't carry a note…
But above everything, he adored his family and shamelessly bragged about each of them.
Doug had a huge heart, was generous, kind, helpful to everyone and had a joyful (and sometimes goofy) personality. Known and beloved by many, he will be dearly missed.
He was predeceased by his parents Helen and Ken Smith, niece Carol Anne Lenz, nephew Christopher Lenz, brother-in-law Jamie McDonald and nephew, Patrick Dunnigan, as well as his lifelong friend, Peter Knaak.
He leaves behind his loving wife of 61 years, Maureen, two sons, Colin Douglas, (Fiona) and Cameron, (Jennifer); grandchildren Samantha, Erin, William, Fischer and Abigail; Siblings Eleanor Lenz (George and daughter Catherine), brother Ian (Dorothy and Daughter Alysse) and twin sister Andrea-Lee and son Tobias (Richard McGowan). There are many other wonderful cousins, nieces and nephews as well as a large cohort of in-laws (Dunnigans, Wolfmans and McDonalds) who will also miss him.
A celebration of life is planned for the Spring.
In lieu of flowers, any donations may be made to the BC Children's Hospital Diabetes Research Unit.
We are so grateful to the strangers who were walking in the park and sprang to his assistance that day when they noticed he was in trouble. And thanks, of course, to our dedicated Ambulance, Fire and hospital crews who do such a challenging job on our behalf. We live in an amazing community. Thank you all.
He was born in the farming community of Yorkton, Sask. where his mother belonged to a large, extended Ukrainian family. He loved to spend his summers on his favourite Uncle John's farm. Even after his family moved to Edmonton, he still made that long drive back to his roots, despite those blinding Easter blizzards. From his Scottish father he learned to love nature, music, poetry and how to fix almost anything.
After studies at Ryerson, he started a career as an Environmental Health Officer for the Edmonton Health Dept., where he met his wife, Maureen. He then obtained a BA in Economics (U of A) and MBA (U of W). He went on to teach at BCIT and Kwantlen Polytechnic University, where he later became Head of the Business Department. He also spent several terms on secondment to SFU.
Doug and Maureen retired to a close-knit neighbourhood in Sechelt where he enjoyed his role serving as President of the Sechelt Seniors Centre. He was also Chairman of the Sechelt Village Residents' Association for many years. Local issues were important to him, but he had a particular interest in the environmental. He was a player/coach for the BCIT hockey team and a volunteer with the Westmount Community League children's hockey teams in Edmonton.
A man of many talents, he wrote and self-published three books: one about his childhood in Saskatchewan; the second was a treatise on 'Spirits', and, his proudest effort, dealt with all the cars he had personally owned-over 250-many of which were 'Collector Classics.' He also liked to acquire models of his special cars and proudly displayed his favourite specimens in curio cabinets in his home office.
He loved his group hikes in our lush forests, hockey in any form, sailing, pickleball (winning several medals at the BC Seniors' Games) and his cherry, fig and kiwi trees. And he never left the house without doggie cookies in his pocket. His only regret in life was that he couldn't carry a note…
But above everything, he adored his family and shamelessly bragged about each of them.
Doug had a huge heart, was generous, kind, helpful to everyone and had a joyful (and sometimes goofy) personality. Known and beloved by many, he will be dearly missed.
He was predeceased by his parents Helen and Ken Smith, niece Carol Anne Lenz, nephew Christopher Lenz, brother-in-law Jamie McDonald and nephew, Patrick Dunnigan, as well as his lifelong friend, Peter Knaak.
He leaves behind his loving wife of 61 years, Maureen, two sons, Colin Douglas, (Fiona) and Cameron, (Jennifer); grandchildren Samantha, Erin, William, Fischer and Abigail; Siblings Eleanor Lenz (George and daughter Catherine), brother Ian (Dorothy and Daughter Alysse) and twin sister Andrea-Lee and son Tobias (Richard McGowan). There are many other wonderful cousins, nieces and nephews as well as a large cohort of in-laws (Dunnigans, Wolfmans and McDonalds) who will also miss him.
A celebration of life is planned for the Spring.
In lieu of flowers, any donations may be made to the BC Children's Hospital Diabetes Research Unit.
We are so grateful to the strangers who were walking in the park and sprang to his assistance that day when they noticed he was in trouble. And thanks, of course, to our dedicated Ambulance, Fire and hospital crews who do such a challenging job on our behalf. We live in an amazing community. Thank you all.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Published by The Coast Reporter from Oct. 31 to Nov. 30, 2025.
