Condolence: What others have said here I too experienced working with Don at Smith & Locke. One of the first things I remember noticing about his company is the length of years people stayed here as employees in an industry that saw people move around quite fast. I was there for 7 years between 1988 and 1995, my longest stint in the graphic design business in Toronto. Don was too good a person and kind mentor to want to move on to other companies. Some of my best memories working in Toronto were at 889 Broadview. I have wonderful memories of working under Don's kind-hearted leadership along side Barry Thomas, Kelvin Smith, Sharon Gilbert and occasionally Wally Smith too. Don had tremendous drawing and sketching skills, things that our generation had lost for the most part even back then, and our crew was the first to really engage desktop computers into this industry. I'm not sure if Don was fully onboard with all of this newfangled technology but he was sure gracious in our zeal to experiment and move forward and somehow we made it through some turbulent times in the industry where it seemed like everything was turning upside down. Don was very gracious and patient with us and he demonstrated how a real leader is supposed to be in this business. He tought me a lot by example, mostly about interacting with people and relationships. He also tought me how to proofread in any language to love CBC radio, and a passion for excellent beer! I feel privileged to have known Don and fortunate to have had the opportunity to be part of his company :D

Condolence: So sorry to hear the sad news about Uncle Don, our thoughts and prayers are with you and your families.

With much love from Sandy and Dave

Condolence: My sincerest condolences to wally,lee Carol, kelvin, demaris and family.

Condolence: Our condolences to the Family, you are in our thoughts, RIP
Your golfing friends, Bill, Dave and Mirco.

Condolence: Don and I met in the early 60s when he was recommended to me as a source for graphic design that I required in my capacity as a print salesman. This lead to a lifelong friendship and very successful business relationship for both of us.
Don was everything you could want as a friend and business cohort. Always there when you needed him, reliable, friendly, honest, fair and fully supportive. Don was a large part of my success in business and I, in turn, contributed significantly to his success as well.
Don's sudden passing has saddened me greatly and I regret that I will be unable to attend his funeral service as I am on a family trip to Nova Scotia.
My sincere condolences to all in Don's family who will miss him greatly.
May you rest in eternal peace, my dear friend. I, too, will miss you.

Condolence: Uncle Don was so incredibly kind, thoughtful and generous towards our mom Joan when her husband and his older brother Jim was killed in a car accident in 1956 leaving a young widow, 2 yr old Debbie and newborn Laurie. We are both sincerely grateful for all he did to help our mother in her time of need. These gestures of care made a major difference. God bless you Don.

For Uncle Don to marry my mom's cousin Janet Kingston years later brought our families together in a very special way - Demaris and Kelvin became our 1rst cousins on Dad Jim's side and 2nd cousins on Mom Joan's side which began a lifelong connection that included lots of family visits - Christmas at Uncle Wally and Aunt Carols, the McFarlane Reunion in New Liskeard and countless outings. Mom Joan and Aunt Janet were good friends after brother Jeff was born, taking Kelvin and Jeff to many events together - such warm memories for Jeff.

Don, Wally and Lee travelled to North Bay in 1996 to attend Debbie and Bills wedding - Debbie was so deeply moved and touched to have them all there. God bless you Don for making the effort to see sister Deb happily married and visit with her boys Jeremy, Ryan and Michael.

My family was so grateful when Don travelled to New Hamburg Ontario to pick up a watercolor art piece of my daughter Dimitra to take it back to Toronto for professional scanning so she could get copies made in Kitchener. This act of kindness launched Dimitra's art career - she ended up selling many limited edition prints of that work entitled "In Gods Hands" followed by another one Don had scanned called "Angel with Dove" that still hangs above sister Debs bed - inspiring all of us and most importantly Debbie through her double lung transplant in 2008.

Most recently, it was quite a highlight to see Don at Dimitra's engagement party in Kitchener followed by the wedding in Don Mills. I was so happy he had a chance to chat with and get to know my hubby Julius.

About a year and a half ago I called his number at the retirement home and it happened to be his birthday. He seemed so genuinely touched and happy that I called. We had such a great talk. I will always remember his happiness that day.

Demaris and Kelvin can't truly put into words how much both your mom Janet and dad Don meant to Debbie and I. We both love you so very much - we r bonded by a double family chord that is there for eternity.

Loving, heartfelt hugs to you both, Michel, Madison, Jayce, Karen and little Adam xoxoxo

Laurie, Julius, Dimitra, Athena and Serena

Condolence: Dear Kelvin and Demaris:
I was saddened to read of your Dad's passing. I remember well some lovely artwork he provided for a church event I was convening. Your Mom and I were friends, having met at Toronto East General Hospital when Kelvin and my daughter Christine were born. You lived on Ecclestone Drive and we lived on Elvaston. You kids played together; Demaris and my Caryn were soon added to the group. You moved to Scarborough and although we saw you less often I still kept in touch with your Mom. What a shock it was when she died.
Our sincere sympathy to you,
With love, Carol (and Bob) Hallam

Condolence: Don Smith was a huge influence in my life. He hired me into Smith & Locke Assoc. in 1966, when I was just 21. From the beginning he taught me the importance of quality in workmanship, before all else. He set an example for me in the best characteristics of human behaviour in the workplace or anyplace.
Don was very patient with my youthful tribulations, and treated me much like a son. I always admired his ability to remain calm in all situations that work brings, and guiding his young team of artists and designers as we often struggled through our daily work.
His display of giving all a fair and equal opportunity helped me as I travelled through my own journey in life. Don’s kindness, sincerity and generosity were not common in the working world.
I consider myself lucky to have been a small part of his life and I say Thank You Don, for being an excellent guide for me, and showing me the best ways.

Doug MacBean