Donald Huntington Smith

Donald Huntington Smith, of Erie, crossed the finish line and took the checkered flag on Wednesday, February 25, 2026. Nearly 99 years old, the green flag flew in Conneaut Lake, PA on March 7, 1927, where he was born to Leona McMahon. At one year old, he was adopted by Dr. James R. Smith and his wife, Mary Anabel Palmer Smith of Erie.

Donald attended Academy High School, where he excelled in football, basketball and track. He was the City of Erie pole vaulting champion in 1945. Donald graduated early and enlisted in the Army Air Corp as a fighter pilot trainee, went through four aviation schools and flew in the 304th Bomb Squadron of the 15th Air Force in a B-29 Squadron.

Donald was a union member of Ironworkers Local 348&3 for 76 years, 44 years of which he did structural iron work with the construction of the Chautauqua Lake Bridge, being his favorite project. He was a member of the Sports Car Club of America, as well as the Misery Bay Sports Car Club. Donald attended the Indy 500 for 75 years consecutively. He was a car guy from childhood. Donald raced into his late 70's, with over 200 first place wins.

Donald was married to the love of his life, Mary MacKrell, for 55 years, with 60 years, 2 months and 17 days of togetherness. He was the father of Curt (Dardana), Lance, Kim and Chris Smith; grandpa to Curt (Marlena), Erica and Derek Smith and Michael (Joshua) and Greg Orsini; great-grandpa to Cale, Danica, Addison, Brahm and Everly Smith and Addilyn Orsini-Collins.

A special thank you to Mary Taylor, Donald's caregiver and the entire staff at the PA Soldiers and Sailors Home.

To quote Donald, "I had a good time, a wonderful life raising four wonderful children with my wife. How lucky can you get?"

"TALLY-HO"

Friends may call at the Dusckas Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., 2607 Buffalo Rd., on Thursday, March 19th, from 4 to 8 pm and are invited to attend a Funeral Service there on Friday, March 20th, at 11 am, conducted by Rev. Scott Jabo. Interment will follow at Wintergreen Gorge Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to www.dusckasfuneralhomes.com.