Name: Celebration of Life for Donald C. Smith
Start: 2024-06-28T01:00:00.000Z
End: 2024-06-28T03:00:00.000Z
Location: Sneider & Sullivan & O’Connell’s Funeral Home and Cremation Service

Donald C. Smith
10/04/1933 - 06/16/2024
Our father passed away Sunday, June 16th after battling several health issues.
He was born in San Francisco to Cathryn (Caffarelli) and Donald E. Smith. He attended Commerce High School and City College of San Francisco. He served in the US Navy with an honorable discharge October 31, 1959.
On June 7, 1952 he married Patricia Ann Carlson (deceased 2014). They purchased their first home in Daly City, California where they raised three daughters.
He was a partner, then owner of Champion Speed Shop. He was also a partner of Half Moon Bay and Cotati Drag Strips. His love of the automotive industry continued opening High Performance Distributors in Colma, California.
He is survived by his 3 daughters: Cathryn Spencer, Donna Hovan (Joe) and Lynn Landucci; five grandchildren: Vinny Bona (Jamie), Kristin Lynch (Mike), Joey Hovan (Kendra), Danielle Landucci (Dave Lewerenz), Matt Hovan (Natalia); and by nine great-grandchildren: Mylah Hovan, Mackson Hovan, Daxon Lewerenz, Donovan Lewerenz, Major Hovan, Declyn Lynch, Noah Hovan, Payton Lynch, Knox Hovan.
Friends are invited to join the family for a celebration of Don's life from 6 to 8 pm on Thursday, June 27, 2024 at Sneider & Sullivan & O'Connell's, 977 S. El Camino Real, San Mateo.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by San Francisco Chronicle on Jun. 20, 2024.

Memories and Condolences
for Donald Smith

Sponsored by Sneider & Sullivan & O’Connell’s Funeral Home and Cremation Service.

12 Entries

Dr. Jay Narayan, PhD

June 12, 2025

Hello, I remember him well. In fact, I see his home being demolished, preparing for re-construction by new owners. It is amazing to see the process. We lived just below his old home and it is sad to see all construction process.

Steve Doukas

February 8, 2025

I met Don at Champion speed Shop in 1958. I was a high school kid building cars. If I couldn't find a rare part, to repair a transmission, Don would locate it. I followed Don to HPD, in Colma. I was a frequent guest at His restaurant, Guido's. If I gave him an obscure part number for an item I wanted to sell, he would tell me what it was and what it was for. Even in retirement, Don was a wealth of information. My friends and I spent many weekends at Half Moon Bay Drags. When my e-mail to him bounced back, tonight, I had that sinking feeling, that a friend of 64 years isn't ever going to respond. Don was so proud of his Family and spoke of them often. Needless to say, I'm really going to miss him.

Maribeth Horton

January 2, 2025

Worked with Don for many years thru a banking relationship. So sadden to hear of your loss. Prayers for all of you. He was definitely a special man.

Tony Clifford

July 6, 2024

Lynn and family;

Thank you for sharing your father with us. He certainly had character. He was always so generous with helping me out through my career at the bank. He always made a point of letting bank employees know he was one the first account holders and shareholders of the bank. He was a staple at our shareholders meetings and made his presence felt. Don was very good to me over the years, needling and all. I am sorry to see Don pass, but I am sure he is donning his championship ring while teaching others baccarat. He will be missed. They don´t make gentlemen like Don anymore! Blessing to you and you family.

John (Kake) & Maria (Youngie) Green

June 29, 2024

We are deeply saddened to hear of the death of Don.
John knew and met Don through Jim Broadley and showed Don around the suburbs in Sydney, Australia when Don visited. Maria was in contact with Don by Email nearly every week.

Donna Foulger

June 25, 2024

I met Don through my work at SEMA, one of the first people I met there when I was only 19, many many years ago. Don was so involved in the industry, and he helped nudge me up the career ladder with encouragement about my abilities. He truly loved the racing industry and being involved in all aspects of it, from racing itself, to running his business, participating on boards and committees, never tiring of any of it. And as Traci Hrudka says here, he loved that baccarrat table at the old Sands Hotel, and was instrumental in moving the Sema show to Las Vegas. I´ve no doubt he´ll be missed by the industry as well as his children and grandchildren. Donna Imrie Foulger

Traci Hrudka

June 25, 2024

My sincerest condolences to the family. Prayers and caring thoughts to all.
Some might know how close he was with the Hrudka Family - Mr. Gasket.
He told whomever would listen how at 10 years old he would have me bouncing on his lap, that would be 50 yrs ago.
Uncle Don will always be a beacon of light, forever guiding us as he sits at the Baccarat table up in the heavens. His wit, passion and love of the racing and automotive aftermarket can not be matched. I was so honored to be presented with the PWA Person of the year award by him, wearing his favorite red suit coat. Oh, all the memories. He never forgot my birthday, telling me he wanted to be the first to say happy birthday to me. LOL. That was Don, always had to be first no matter what he did, and yes he was First - a gentle soul, personality plus, giving, understanding, and most of all loved and respected by all.
Sleep peacefully Uncle Don, you will not be alone. Whip those that went ahead of you into shape. All Love, Traci

Dr. Jay and Alexandra Narayan

June 25, 2024

Please accept our sincere condolences on the passing of your loved one. Don Smith was one-of-kind-human being. He was a great neighbor and will be missed dearly by us. May his memory be internal.

Dr. Jay and Alexandra Narayan

Danielle

June 24, 2024

I´ve know Don for over 20 years I worked at his restaurant Guido´s as a hostess he came to my wedding he´s just been in my life as a positive Don loved to play cards always hooking me up at Cesar´s when I´d go to Vegas Don had the biggest heart I´m going to miss him checking in on me by email Love you Don
Dani

Sherry Eppel

June 23, 2024

May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.

Mary Nispuruk

June 23, 2024

Don and my husband were wonderful longtime friends, he was such a great source for knowledge and he had so many connections to the automotive world. He was a founding member of SEMA, a restauranteur (Guido's in Colma) where my husband proposed to me, he was just a wonderful man and we will miss him dearly. For 30 years he never forgot our birthdays or our wedding anniversary. To not see he and Cassie together is so sad. RIP Don!! You were one in a million.

Karin Espinal

June 21, 2024

My deepest and sincere condolences on the passing of Don. I knew him for many years as a patient of Dr. McNamara at St. Francis Ophthalmology and later as a patient at Peninsula Ophthalmology and he became my friend. He was a wonderful man and we would reminisce with the history and knowledge of cars and living in the Bay Area. My sincere condolences.

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