As the London community mourns the death of local community leader Don Smith, co-founder of global construction giant EllisDon, the Western community remembers a man who, literally, helped build the university from the ground up. Smith died Tuesday at the age of 89.
Smith and his brother, David Ellis Smith, founded EllisDon in 1951. For the last six decades, the firm has built iconic structures across the globe, like Canary Wharf in London, England; across Canada, Skydome (now the Rogers Centre) and National Gallery of Canada; as well as across London, John Labatt Centre (now Budweiser Gardens), London Convention Centre and University Hospital, where Smith died Tuesday.
In addition, Western’s campus has been heavily imprinted by the firm, as the company constructed Stevenson Hall, Sydenham Hall, Talbot College, Law Building, Engineering Building, Biological & Geological Sciences Building, Medical Sciences Building, HBA Building and Alumni Hall.
In 2006, Western conferred an honorary Doctor of Laws degree upon Smith in recognition of his success as a contractor and exemplary service to the community.
At that time, he advised graduates to take chances in life by the man responsible for constructing some of Canada’s finest buildings. “Have confidence in yourself and don’t be afraid to take chances,” he told graduates from the faculties of Music, Engineering and Graduate Studies.
In his citation for Smith’s degree, Franco Berruti, then-Engineering dean, noted Smith “literally helped build Western in the most fundamental way.”
Today, Berruti adds that Smith was a major supporter of Western Engineering, always making sure the students would have the best opportunities to develop their creative skills to eventually contribute the very best they could to society.
“The Don Smith Design Studio in the Thompson Engineering Building, founded largely by his generosity, continues to aid in the development of the next generation of designers here,” added Michael Bartlett, Western Engineering associate dean, academic.
“I will remember Don as a wonderful, generous and inspiring man,” Berruti said. “He always expressed openly what was in his heart. He will be missed.”
Beyond Western, Smith supported numerous others institutions, charities and causes, but his favorite was the Boys and Girls Club in London.
“You have to make hard decisions in business as you do in life; you have to take those chances and really it’s kind of fun,” Smith told graduates in 2006. “And 99 times out of 100, things will work out. … Whatever career you follow, make sure you enjoy your work, so that you not only succeed in life, but enjoy life along the way.”