In memory of
L. Anthony (Tony) Smart
September 25, 1946 - August 14, 2026
Tony Smart: born Linstead Jamaica, 25 September, 1946, died Toronto, Canada, 14th August 2026. Tony was predeceased by his loving parents, Ruby and Lester Smart and parents in law, Tom and Jean Nall. He is survived by his adoring wife, Liz, and children, son Matthew (Venus), daughters Catriona (Jimmy) and Sarah (Dave), his grandchildren Aiden, Mila and Harlowe, and his sister Jewel. He was much loved and cherished by his cousins, sisters and brothers in law, his nephews and nieces and extended family.
Born in Linstead, Jamaica, Tony attended Jamaica College in Kingston, where he became Head Boy. There he made lifelong friends and many great memories. In subsequent years he would regale his friends and family in Scotland and Canada with his escapades while a boarder there.
He left Jamaica to attend Dental School at Edinburgh University, where an invitation to go to his classmate Joan’s home for Christmas led him to meeting her sister, Liz. The rest as they say, is history. He and Liz would go on to enjoy 51 years (less a day) of a very happy marriage. He was embraced by all of Liz’s family, (many of them coming to Jamaica to visit himself and Liz there). While completing his studies in Edinburgh, he and Liz joined the Anti-Apartheid movement at personal cost to themselves….more stories to tell. Upon completing his Fellowship in Oral and Maxillofacial surgery at The Royal College of Surgeons in Edinburgh, he returned home to his beloved Jamaica where he set up the department of Oral Surgery at Cornwall Regional Hospital, convincing a dear Scottish friend and classmate from Dental School to come with him.
After four years in Jamaica, Tony made the difficult decision to leave with his young family and begin a new chapter in Canada. Quiet and thoughtful, he formed deep and lasting friendships wherever he went—a gift that stayed with him as he and Liz settled into life in Toronto with their children.
As was the case with many immigrants to Canada he had to requalify both as a dentist and Oral Surgeon. He was one of only two Black Oral Surgeons in Canada. He set up practice in Toronto, and subsequently in Newmarket and began teaching at the University of Toronto. He became involved in volunteer work, mentoring young students, becoming a Minister to the Sick and a member of the St Vincent de Paul Society. He was honoured with a lifetime achievement award by the Jamaica College Old Boys Association.
While Tony was a gentle and quiet man, he cared deeply about social justice and equal rights—and when those values were at stake, he could roar like a lion. He was a true man of many interests: jazz and classical music, playing the saxophone, learning French, playing chess, discussing politics, and reading The Guardian newspaper every day. He also appreciated life’s finer pleasures, from dinner at his favourite restaurants and a dry martini on ice with a sliver of lemon, to fine wines, sausage rolls, Jamaican patties and scones! But more than anything, it was his grandchildren who gave him the greatest pleasure in his final years. He loved going out for lunch and a movie with them and enjoyed even more when they came for sleepovers. After lively discussions amongst themselves, they curated movies they thought suitable for Papa’s viewing. Meanwhile, Willow the Labrador would happily share pistachios with him and Goldie the Golden Doodle would roll over for hugs. He loved them all so much and the feeling was deeply mutual.
There is a Scottish song that has the line, “He was a man you don’t meet every day.” Tony was this in the best way. As a friend said recently, he was one of the great men of our generation. Praise indeed.
A funeral service to remember Tony will be held on Tuesday, August 25th, 2026 at 2:00 pm at St. Basil's Catholic Parish (50 St. Joseph St. Toronto).
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Jamaica College Old Boys Association (details to follow) or to St. Vincent de Paul Society (St Basil).
For St. Vincent de Paul Society:
Mail or drop off cheques made out to the “St. Vincent de Paul Society” to: St. Basil’s Church, 50 St. Joseph Street, Toronto, M5S 1J4. Online donations can be made through the St. Basil's Parish website, designating funds to St. Vincent de Paul Society in the dropdown menu: https://www.stbasiltoronto.org/ (canadahelps.org/en/dn/47556). Please copy and paste this link, or see the donation tab at the top right corner of this page. All gifts are tax deductible. 98.6 cents of every dollar donated goes directly to our neighbours in need. Thank you for your generosity.
Born in Linstead, Jamaica, Tony attended Jamaica College in Kingston, where he became Head Boy. There he made lifelong friends and many great memories. In subsequent years he would regale his friends and family in Scotland and Canada with his escapades while a boarder there.
He left Jamaica to attend Dental School at Edinburgh University, where an invitation to go to his classmate Joan’s home for Christmas led him to meeting her sister, Liz. The rest as they say, is history. He and Liz would go on to enjoy 51 years (less a day) of a very happy marriage. He was embraced by all of Liz’s family, (many of them coming to Jamaica to visit himself and Liz there). While completing his studies in Edinburgh, he and Liz joined the Anti-Apartheid movement at personal cost to themselves….more stories to tell. Upon completing his Fellowship in Oral and Maxillofacial surgery at The Royal College of Surgeons in Edinburgh, he returned home to his beloved Jamaica where he set up the department of Oral Surgery at Cornwall Regional Hospital, convincing a dear Scottish friend and classmate from Dental School to come with him.
After four years in Jamaica, Tony made the difficult decision to leave with his young family and begin a new chapter in Canada. Quiet and thoughtful, he formed deep and lasting friendships wherever he went—a gift that stayed with him as he and Liz settled into life in Toronto with their children.
As was the case with many immigrants to Canada he had to requalify both as a dentist and Oral Surgeon. He was one of only two Black Oral Surgeons in Canada. He set up practice in Toronto, and subsequently in Newmarket and began teaching at the University of Toronto. He became involved in volunteer work, mentoring young students, becoming a Minister to the Sick and a member of the St Vincent de Paul Society. He was honoured with a lifetime achievement award by the Jamaica College Old Boys Association.
While Tony was a gentle and quiet man, he cared deeply about social justice and equal rights—and when those values were at stake, he could roar like a lion. He was a true man of many interests: jazz and classical music, playing the saxophone, learning French, playing chess, discussing politics, and reading The Guardian newspaper every day. He also appreciated life’s finer pleasures, from dinner at his favourite restaurants and a dry martini on ice with a sliver of lemon, to fine wines, sausage rolls, Jamaican patties and scones! But more than anything, it was his grandchildren who gave him the greatest pleasure in his final years. He loved going out for lunch and a movie with them and enjoyed even more when they came for sleepovers. After lively discussions amongst themselves, they curated movies they thought suitable for Papa’s viewing. Meanwhile, Willow the Labrador would happily share pistachios with him and Goldie the Golden Doodle would roll over for hugs. He loved them all so much and the feeling was deeply mutual.
There is a Scottish song that has the line, “He was a man you don’t meet every day.” Tony was this in the best way. As a friend said recently, he was one of the great men of our generation. Praise indeed.
A funeral service to remember Tony will be held on Tuesday, August 25th, 2026 at 2:00 pm at St. Basil's Catholic Parish (50 St. Joseph St. Toronto).
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Jamaica College Old Boys Association (details to follow) or to St. Vincent de Paul Society (St Basil).
For St. Vincent de Paul Society:
Mail or drop off cheques made out to the “St. Vincent de Paul Society” to: St. Basil’s Church, 50 St. Joseph Street, Toronto, M5S 1J4. Online donations can be made through the St. Basil's Parish website, designating funds to St. Vincent de Paul Society in the dropdown menu: https://www.stbasiltoronto.org/ (canadahelps.org/en/dn/47556). Please copy and paste this link, or see the donation tab at the top right corner of this page. All gifts are tax deductible. 98.6 cents of every dollar donated goes directly to our neighbours in need. Thank you for your generosity.
Funeral Details
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St. Basil's Catholic Parish
50 St Joseph St., Toronto, ON, CANADA, M5S 1J4
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Tuesday, 25 Aug 2026 2:00 PM