John Donsford Smith was born on March 9, 1937 in the Dayrells Road area of Christ Church in Barbados to Gladstone and Francis Smith.

In 1955, his dad Gladstone was lost at sea and John stepped up to support his mother Frances and his siblings at the age of 18. He travelled around the world several times working on ships, first as a cabin boy, and then he moved up the ranks to the position of cook. After culinary training in England he moved to Montreal in 1967 where he worked at various hospitals. He went to Canada’s far north working at Coral Harbour and Resolute Bay. He moved to Toronto where he worked at the Downsview military base, Toronto Rehabilitation Centre and St. Michael’s halfway houses. He enjoyed mentoring, helping and listening to the patients until he retired at 70.

John was funny, caring and loved by his family and friends. He celebrated life every day, developed friendships, touched lives and made a difference to all he met including the clients at the Seniors Life Enhancement Centre. On March 17, 2017, John went home peacefully to be with his Lord.

John will be greatly missed by his wife Ann Marie, a faithful and devoted companion, his children Margo, Ann Marie, Garcia, Dave and Giselle, Son In Law Bryant, grandchildren Chanell and Andre, Daughter In Law Sheila and granddaughter Ariane.

He was the fourth of the seven children (Brenda Parris, Joan Trotman, Harriet Hinds, Beverley Codrington, Bentley Smith and Richard Smith (deceased)). John leaves behind many nieces, nephews, cousins, a myriad of great friends and his devoted dog Misty.