Please note that the location of the funeral service has been changed and will now be held at First United Church, 711 Prince Street, Truro.
Donald Charles "Don" Smith – 79, Brookside, passed away peacefully, with his loving family at his side, on Thursday morning, November 12, 2015, at home. Born May 1, 1936, in Truro, he was a son of the late Cyrus and Dorothy (Cox) Smith.
Don owned and operated Don Smith Furnishings Ltd. right up until the time of his death and was a long-time member of First United Church. He was an avid horse enthusiast and had a passion for breeding, raising and racing horses, was a member of Standardbred Canada and a very familiar face at Truro Raceway. He was also an avid curler and a former member of Truro Curling Club. Once a year, Don ventured to the cottage in Cape John, but took great pleasure in seeing his family enjoy it as much as they could. He had a soft spot in his heart for his beloved cat, Muffin.
Don is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Helen "Beth" (DeForest); children, Valerie (Stephen) MacLeod, Onslow Mountain; Charles, Brookside; Patti (Brian) Kennedy, Salmon River; grandchildren, Jason, Jamie, Scott, Patrick, Regan; great granddaughter, Chloe; sister, Crystal Best, Lower Sackville; brother, Cy Smith, Debert; sister-in-law, Ann Smith, Lower Onslow; many nieces and nephews. Along with his parents, he was predeceased by his daughter, Jeanne Elizabeth Smith; brother, Glendon Smith; brother-in-law, Laurence Best.
Special thanks are extended to family doctor, Dr. Neil Bower, Dr. Ricardo Rendon (Halifax), Dr. Duane Sheppard (Halifax) and the staff at Colchester East Hants Health Centre for their care and expertise.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Mattatall – Varner Funeral Home, 55 Young Street, Truro, where Don’s family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m., Friday, November 13, 2015. Funeral service will be held 2 p.m., Saturday, November 14, 2015, in First United Church, 771 Prince Street, Truro, Reverend Valerie Kingsbury officiating. Reception will follow in Memorial Hall. Interment in Crossroads Cemetery, 110 Salmon River Road, Valley. Family flowers only. If so desired, donations in Don’s memory to Palliative Care Unit of Colchester East Hants Health Centre are welcomed. Private messages of condolence may be sent to the family by viewing Don’s obituary on-line and selecting "Send A Condolence" at: www.mattatallvarnerfh.com