Ian "Doug" Smith

Ian Douglas Smith passed away on August 19, 2024 surrounded by his loving family members.
Doug was born in Kentville, Nova Scotia, Canada on April 22, 1924. In 1927 he and his sister Margaret accompanied their parents Sarah (Morrison) and J. Stanley Smith to their new home in the Northeast section of the Bronx. Hard to believe but 90 years ago the Bronx was somewhat rural with a number of open areas. In later years Doug would regale younger generations with stories of small farms and the Meadowbrook Farms Dairy in the areas of Eastchester and Gun Hill Roads and Baychester Avenue. He graduated from Christopher Columbus High School in 1942. In the summer of 1942 he had a tryout with the Brooklyn Dodgers. Subsequently, the Dodgers invited him to Spring Training in early 1943. Spring training was to be with the Montreal Royals, their AAA farm team. During the War, Major League teams had to hold spring training near their home city. It was held at Bear Mountain, NY. The government banned excessive travel. It was not to be as he had enlisted in the Army Air Corps with boyhood friend Bill Shanahan in December 1942. He served until the Japanese surrender in 1945. Overseas service included 2 years service in the Pacific beginning with Australia, New Guinea, Philippine Islands, Okinawa and Japan. Entry with the Occupation Forces into Tokyo was shortly after the Japanese surrender. After his Army service, Doug attended New York University at Washington Square, NYC. He graduated in 1949 with a Bachelor of Science Degree. He always applauded the G.I. Bill of Rights for providing a college education to all veterans. Following college days he held several jobs in the Insurance industry. In 1951, the Dollar Savings Bank of New York made him an offer as an accountant and he accepted. The years passed and he rose in the ranks to the Office of the Bank Comptroller. At that point he was the youngest employee elected to a senior officer position. Years later, he was rewarded with the Presidency of the Bank. During his time with Dollar he was very active in National and State Banking Trade organizations. He served as Treasurer of the New York Savings Bank Association for 2 years. After retirement from the Dollar in 1983 he did consulting work and served in executive positions for 2 New York City savings banks for approximately 10 years.
Doug's beloved wife Patricia passed away in 1981 at the age of 52. A lovely lady and a wonderful mother. Her talents were many. Art, cooking, decorating, sewing and on and on. Doug is survived by his daughter Deborah Rosenfeld and sons Daryl, Dean and David; daughters-in-law Mary, Jean Coleman and Barbara. Also surviving are his grandchildren Jared Rosenfeld, Courtney, Taylor, Allison and Graham Smith.
During his working years he always found time to volunteer for youth activities such as Scouting and Little League Baseball. Doug served 2 terms on the Yonkers School Board and was President of the Board in the late 60's and early 70's. The Smith Family became members of the Asbury United Methodist Church of Crestwood in 1961. His service over the years included Chairman of the Finance Committee, Chairman of the Board of Trustees and Treasurer of the Asbury Foundation. The House of the Holy Comforter Nursing Home elected him to their Board of Trustees in 1966. The Home relocated to Yorktown Heights in 1984 after merging with the Field Home. He chaired the Building Committee for several new facilities over the years and was President of the Catherine Field Home Board of Trustees. Long a sports enthusiast, baseball and the New York Yankees were his favorites. He remembered seeing Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig play while accompanying his Dad at the old Yankee Stadium. Gehrig was his idol.
A long time member of the Wykagyl Country Club in New Rochelle he served as Club Governor many years ago. His sport in later life was golf and he greatly enjoyed the many highly competitive matches. The dice cup game following a match with fellow club members was an added delight. He had the good fortune to have two holes in one at Wykagyl, the last one in November of 2015, thirty years after the first one. The family spent many summer vacations on Long Island and the New Jersey Shore. Planning for these excursions was extensive with 4 children, a dog and sundry beach equipment. Winter ski trips were equally complicated and it was here that Doug learned to ski. Never very good, probably overly cautious. The boys frequently urging him to go faster, faster. A family trip to Scotland and England in 1998 was a wonderful experience for all the family.
Community volunteer work always interested Doug. He joined the Lawrence Hospital Volunteers in Bronxville and served for 15 years and as President of the Auxiliary for 2 terms. The "Smart Program" was another of his favorite volunteer efforts. It is sponsored by the JCY Westchester Community Partners. It is essentially a reading program for children in Yonkers and surrounding communities. He served in various Yonkers schools for approximately 20 years. He particularly enjoyed the 3rd grade kids at School 23 in West Yonkers.
His family would like to express sincere thanks to all who extended their support and kindness. He will be deeply missed by family and friends. Friends may call at the Westchester Funeral Home,Inc., Eastchester on Thursday, August 22, 2024 between the hours of 5-8 pm. In lieu of flowers friends may contribute in his memory to the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation.