Obituary of Allan Milton Paul Smart

SMART, Allan Milton Paul

It is with extreme sadness that the family of Allan Milton Paul Smart, Lord of Edingale, announce his death Saturday afternoon, January 13, 2018 peacefully at Toronto General Hospital. He is survived by his wife, Ruth Mary Smart (nee Seubert), his daughter Kellie Zupet and husband Tom and daughters Kirsten Zupet and Olivia Rowland and husband Andrew, daughter Kara Alloway and husband Graham and their sons Baron, Hunter and Christian. Born in Hamilton, Ontario, August 22, 1933 to Henry and Jean (nee Kohn) where he graduated from McMaster University with an Honours Degree in Economics. Recruited by William Mercer & Co. (pension consulting), Allan participated in establishing the pension plans for both the Municipal Employees and the Ontario Hospital Workers. It was during this assignment that Allan met his wife Ruth. Following years with William Mercer & Co., Allan worked with Alexander and Alexander before leaving to start his own company, Allan Smart Services Ltd. Allan established the Smart Group of Companies, headquartered in Toronto with offices in Ontario and Kentucky and provided employee benefits consulting and insurance brokerage services to over 200 corporate clients across Canada. His love of horses led him to establish one of the largest equine brokerage services in Canada. Allan established the newly formed advisory services exclusively for Canadian underwriting members of Lloyds of London. An employment benefit specialist and strong advocate of equal opportunity employment, when interviewed on his hiring policies which was then considered breaking gender barriers, Allan’s direct response was “hire brains not brawn”. Allan’s office was disproportionately staffed by women with all enjoying pay equity. Allan loved thoroughbred horse racing and owned and bred horses in Canada, the United States and Australia. Allan rarely, if ever, missed the Triple Crown races, the Ascot in England and his favorite race, the Prix de L’Arc de Triomphe held at Longchamp racetrack in Paris. Allan was a member of the Woodbine Turf Club in Toronto, the New York Turf & Field Club, Victoria Racing Club in Melbourne and Ascot in England. Allan’s other club affiliations include the National Club of Toronto and the Metropolitan Club of New York. Allan and Ruth enjoyed extensive world travel with their family and, for his 30^th wedding anniversary, he surprised Ruth with an extended around the world adventure, spending time on every continent, visiting what was then considered the remotest regions known to the modern world. Allan’s philanthropic passions included the Canadian Cancer Society, Heart and Stroke Foundation, Sunnybrook Hospital, Princess Margaret Hospital, St. Michael’s Hospital and several women’s shelters in Toronto. His love of Shakespeare was evident to family and friends and was particularly installed in his grandsons. Acute illness forced Allan to retire in 2005 and the family would like to give thanks to his many caregivers especially Rodlyn and Evelyn. Thank you as well to Dr. F. Brenneman, Dr. R. Wells, Dr. S. Alibhai, Dr. Ken Melvin, Dr. Zlotta and specially Dr. Krahn and his medical and nursing staff at Toronto General Hospital who gave compassionate and continued care. The family will receive friends at the HUMPHREY FUNERAL HOME A.W. MILES – NEWBIGGING CHAPEL, 1403 Bayview Avenue (south of Davisville Avenue) from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 17th. A funeral mass will be held in BLESSED SACRAMENT CHURCH on Thursday, January 18th at 1:30 p.m. followed by interment in Mount Pleasant Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Allan’s name to the Odette Cancer Centre, Sunnybrook Hospital Foundation, the Toronto General Hospital Foundation and/or the Princess Margaret Foundation. Condolences, photographs and memories may be forwarded through www.humphreymilesnewbigging.com.