Sean Eric Smith
elevated 375Pc August 23, 1965 – June 21, 2024
elevated 375Pc Visitation
Thursday June 27, 2024 from 2pm to 4pm & 6pm to 8pm
elevated 375Pc Holy Cross Catholic Funeral Home
211 Langstaff Road East, Thornhill, ON, L3T 3Z6
elevated 375Pc Funeral Mass – Chapel of St. Joseph (within the Funeral Home)
Friday June 28, 2024 at 1:30pm
elevated 375Pc If unable to attend the Funeral Mass in person, please Click Here to watch it live
elevated 375Pc Interment
Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery
8361 Yonge Street, Thornhill, ON, L3T 2C7
elevated 375Pc Reception (within the Funeral Home)
Following the Interment
elevated 375Pc Obituary
elevated 375Pc It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Sean, loving father to Seamus and Delaney Smith, and devoted husband to Melanie (nee O’Donohue). Brother-in-law to Mary Jo O’Donohue, Stephen O’Donohue (Randy), and Dr. Gregory O’Donohue (Stephen). Uncle to Richard Zsolt (Julia), Michael Zsolt (Meaghan), Lauren and Erin O’Donohue. Son of Hamish and Louise Smith, brother of Geordie Smith.
elevated 375Pc Sean passed away at the age of 58 on the Summer Solstice, June 21st, 2024, in the Palliative Care Unit at Sunnybrook Hospital. He fought a turbulent battle against cancer since the fall of 2023. With our deepest gratitude, our family would like to thank Sean’s dedicated medical team for the excellent care they provided throughout this journey: Dr. Rania Chehade and her team in the Odette Cancer Centre; Dr. Julia Buthmann and her team in the C2 unit at Sunnybrook; Dr. Minsoo Yoon along with the exceptional home visiting Palliative Nurse and friend, Margaret from Temmy Latner, Sinai Health.
elevated 375Pc Sean was born on August 23rd, 1965 in Montreal, Quebec. After moving to Toronto, he attended Lawrence Park Collegiate where he met many lifelong friends and his high school sweetheart, Melanie. He later attended Ryerson and York University, studying Political Science and English. Sean spent his career in the Information Technology industry, having landed in the Augmentative & Alternative Communication Clinic at the Toronto Rehab, Bickle Centre under the University Health Network (UHN) during his final year. He felt deeply connected to this role, inspired by the dedicated team he was a part of and the collaborative approach to the work they did for the patients they supported.
elevated 375Pc Sean loved many things from discussing philosophy, to listening to reggae music, watching hockey and movies with his best friend Blue, and spending quiet time in nature. He had an interest in traveling and fortunately enjoyed several wonderful travel adventures over the past few years. Sean enjoyed many years running and training for multiple half marathons in support of fundraising for cancer research. He was able to fight this final battle with the mindset of a marathon runner. In his final days, he remained optimistic and steadfast in his strength.
elevated 375Pc Sean will be lovingly remembered in the hearts of many family, friends, and work colleagues. If desired, donations in Sean’s honour to the Toronto Humane Society or the Orillia SPCA would be appreciated.
So very sorry to hear about this loss of a great man. Sean was always in the best spirits and made sure everyone around him was having a great time. The world is in a worse place without him, but his memory will live on with all those who had the pleasure to know him. My love and thoughts are with Seamus and the rest of the Smith family.
We have lost the kindest, most decent man I have had the pleasure to know for over forty years. His easy going disposition and infectious laugh will be missed by us all. A dedicated, fantastic father, husband and friend. My deepest most heartfelt condolences to Sean’s family, who meant everything to him.
Our sincerest condolences to Melanie,Seamus, and Delaney. We are so saddened by the loss of your husband and father who was such an amazing presence in your lives. I love the photo you chose of him- a strong happy confident runner. May your happy memories of him give you some comfort in the weeks and months to come. Teresa and Jim Veltman
Sean was and will always be one of my best friends. We met at Lawrence Park and remainded friends since then. Heart of Gold. My last memory of Sean will be from the annual Boys Weekend we did every year at Craig Hutchinsons cottage, and a weekend at the farm last summer 2023 with Melanie. Rest in Peace my friend. Thank you for your great friendship. David Macdonald ❤️
Our deepest condolences to the Smith family, our thoughts and prayers are with you. REST IN PEACE
Dear Seamus, Melanie and Delaney. We are so very sorry and heartbroken for you.
Your family was always so welcoming to Christian and our family.
Sean’s kindness and genuine warmth definitely left an impression on us.
You are in our thoughts and prayers as you go through these difficult and sad times.
Phil and Simone Babineau
I just heard. So very sad… The comments above are so right – he was truly one of the kindest people I ever knew, and his friendship at Lawrence Park meant the world to me.
Deepest condolences to Melanie and his family.
Sean’s passing Is the saddest of news and such a tragic loss for such a wonderful family.
Our deepest condolences
Rest in peace
We’re devastated to learn of Sean’s passing. Sean was a wonderful man, a family man, first and foremost. The intervals between our calls were always too long – but when we chatted – the laughs were non-stop. I last connected with Sean in 2021 and just reached out to him at the end of May not knowing his current challenges. Now the interval is indefinite – but I will always cherish our friendship.
Our deepest condolences.
Baruch dayan ha’emet.
Wayne & Debbie
Our Deepest Sympathies to the family at this very difficult time. May the many loving memories you’ve had together and the love the remaining family has for one another, help you weather this storm.
May Sean forever rest in peace.
I am sorry to hear about the loss of your father Delaney. Wishing you comfort and peace. God bless you and your family during this difficult time. My deepest condolences.
We were all so sad to hear of Sean’s passing. He was a wonderful person and great addition to our team here at UHN. He was very caring and went that extra mile for the patients here and always had a smile to share with his colleagues. We will miss you Sean. Our deepest sympathies to your family.
Loralee, Saima, Stephanie, Adity and Linda (AAC Clinic)
I knew Sean only for a short time during his stint at Toronto Rehab, but his kindness, good humour, and decency were always on full display, and our patients were the better for his caring attention.
Much sympathy and strength to his nearest and dearest.
Sean was cut out perfectly for working in the AAC field. He was smart, creative and loved by his patients.
After searching a very long time we found Sean and were so lucky to have him on our team.
He was a great listener, which is key in being good with patients and working in a team.
Sean told me about his family often and how much he loved spending time on the farm. Sean often dropped everything to help me out in urgent situations.
I am very sad that he passed away. My condolences to everyone he knew, it is a great loss… rest in peace Sean.
I am so sorry for your loss. My sincerest condolences to you Melanie, Seamus & Delaney. It was such a shock to learn of his sudden passing at such a young age. Even though we have all been estranged all my thought and prayers are with you. Xx
In the short time I got to know Sean, he already taught me so much. By example, he taught me to always lead with kindness, be curious and listen to each other’s perspectives, that laughter is the best medicine, to hold your family close, and to fight hard and never give up.
I’m so thankful I had the privilege of knowing Sean, and I will forever hold with me everything he has taught me. I’m devastated we lost a great man, but his memory will live on.
Rest in Peace❤️
To Seamus, Melanie and Delaney. We are sending our deepest condolences and thinking about the family at this time. May you cherish every memory you have with him and hold them forever in your heart. Rest In Peace Sean ❤️
I am so sorry to hear this sad news. I worked with Sean at VocaLinks Inc. Sean always had a welcoming demeanor, he was so helpful as well, he made me smile!
Blessings to the entire family.
Sean was always so kind and considerate with the team, patients, and families. It was such a pleasure having him on the units.
All the best to those close to Sean and thank you Sean for everything you did for the patients. Rest in peace <3
Dearest Delaney,
Please accept my sincere and heartfelt condolences on the passing of your Father. From reading the messages I have learned that he was very kind and caring and will be very much missed.
I think he must have been in Grade 9 at Lawrence when I was in Grade 13 so I am happy that I shared space with him for a year, even without knowing it.
Hoping you will find comfort from the support of family and friends at this difficult time.
Sending love and hugs, Carol
Melanie, Seamus, and Delaney our most sincere condolences to you your family and friends. Sean always put a smile our faces and is a great man who will forever be remembered. Rest in peace Sean.
It is with a heavy heart in writing this message. Sean’s passing has left a void in his workplace and in our hearts. His courage in the face of cancer was remarkable, and his strength was an inspiration.
Sean was not just a co-worker but I found a friend in him, always ready with a smile and a kind word. His dedication and passion for his work set a standard for us to follow. His presence will be missed, his wisdom, and positivity he brought to his workplace.
Though Sean is no longer with us, his memory of the stories we shared and the values he upheld will always be remembered.
With heartfelt sympathy,
Lanny Chennette
(Sean’s IT Right hand At VocaLinks)
Heartfelt Condolences.
Words cannot express our sorrow for you Delaney, may you always cherish the memories made.
Deepest sympathies Melanie & Seamus
Wendy and I were shocked to hear this such sad news. Although we had not seen Sean in recent years, he and his family were always in our thoughts. On behalf of the entire Gurd clan, Louise (Mimi) Smith’s family, we offer our sincere condolences to Melanie, Seamus and Delaney and his many friends.
Rest in Peace my dear Sean
Heartfelt condolences to Seamus, Delaney and their mum, Melanie. I recall Sean as a quiet gentleman, who came to parent-teacher interviews with a positivity and a wee sparkle in his Irish eyes as we discussed his son’s progress in grade 4. I didn’t have the pleasure of teaching Delaney, but the parents were always present at school functions, and the whole family seemed to be filled with love and good will whenever I saw them.
I will keep you all in my prayers. As the Irish saying goes, “Until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of his hand.” Rest in Power, Sean Smith.
Dear Melanie, Séamus and Delaney,
We are all saddened to hear of Sean’s death. We haven’t seen Sean in many years, but his smile always brightened up the St.A school yard.
Please accept our sincere condolences.
Norah Higgins Burnham & Maris, Séamus and Nuala Burnham
Melanie I have just learned from Marie and Paul Lehman of
Sean’s passing. You and he have gone through so much in the last few years. Love to you and to
Sean’s memory. Ted and I will be at the funeral tomorrow
Sending my love to Melanie and your entire family.
Dear Melanie, Seamus and Delaney,
We are so saddened to hear about Sean’s passing. Although we haven’t seen you all in many years, we have fond memories of Sean. He was a great and friendly man who was always kind and chatty whenever I ran into him in the old neighbourhood.
Sending you all condolences and love,
Lily and Ashley Stewart