Don Smith, co-founder of global construction giant EllisDon, passed away at the age of 89 on July 16.
Don Smith, co-founder of global construction giant EllisDon, passed away at the age of 89 on July 16.
London, Ont. contractors Smith and brother David Ellis Smith began the company on April Fool’s Day 1951 with only four employees. The company quickly became the first Canadian contractor to own its own tower crane, in 1956, and the first to fully computerize its accounting and cost systems in 1968.
According to the EllisDon website, the fully guaranteed $400 million retractable roof SkyDome was Smith’s proudest achievement at EllisDon.
Today, the company completes over $3 billion in volume annually, has worked all over the globe on every type of project, and is nearly 50 per cent owned by its 1,600 employees.
EllisDon was just one part of life for Smith, who was a committed philanthropist, raising funds and support for the Boys and Girls Club, Fanshawe College and many other charities and individuals. He also received a lifetime achievement award from the Canadian Council of Christians and Jews for his stands against bigotry and unfairness.
A celebration of Smith’s life will be held at the London Hunt Club on July 23 at 3 p.m. In lieu of flowers, “Don would ask you to multiply that cost by at least 10 and donate it today to your favourite charity,” says his obituary.
DCN NEWS SERVICES
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