Mr. David Alexander Smith of Wilmington, Delaware, age 92, died peacefully at Christiana Hospital in Newark, Delaware on January 29, 2021. Dave was a resident at Highfield Madeline Care Center and was a long time member of the Ebenezer United Methodist Church in Newark, DE.
Born on November 14, 1928 in North Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada, Dave was the son of the late Robert B “Bob” and Helen (Bigney) Smith and attended Central High School in North Sydney. After earning a full scholarship, he attended and graduated from Mount Allison University in New Brunswick, Canada, with a degree in Chemical Engineering in 1950. Dave served in the military as a member of the Royal Canadian Corps of Signals in the early 1950s. He also joined the Masons at a young age and achieved the level of a 32nd degree Mason.
Dave worked for various chemical companies throughout Canada with a specialty in paper chemicals engineering. He ultimately spent most of his career with Hercules, Inc, through which a transfer to Wilmington, DE occurred, subsequently obtaining dual citizenship with the USA and Canada. After accepting early retirement from Hercules, he formed his own consulting company and continued to work in the paper chemicals industry for years before retiring.
Outside of work, Dave is best remembered for his love of hockey and being a coach for his sons’ hockey teams up in Montreal as well as in Delaware. He even coached a Men’s hockey team in Delaware for a number of years. Dave also enjoyed fishing and was a lover of Maryland Crabs and Maine Lobsters, both of which he enjoyed equally. Dave and Donna in their earlier years were also fond of having neighborhood friends over for Bridge parties.
Dave is predeceased by his wife, Donna Irene Smith, and his oldest son, Kevin James Smith; and is survived by his son Kevin’s family, his wife Mary (McGinley) Smith and their 5 children, Daniel James Smith, Garrett Michael Smith, Gregory Thomas Smith, Amanda Marie Smith and Austin Patrick Smith; his other son, Cameron Douglas Smith and his children, Nathan Roberts Smith and Brendan Walsh Smith and his children’s Mother, Kimberley Patrice Holland. He is also predeceased by his sister, Roberta Sicotte; his brother, Norman Smith; his sister, Peggy Wilke, his brother, James Smith; and is survived by his sole remaining sibling and brother, Bruce Smith.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to Ebenezer United Methodist Church, 525 Polly Drummond road, Newark, DE 19711.
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