March 6, 2023
Donald P. Smith, D.V.M., of Hingham, passed away peacefully at home on February 17, 2023 at the age of 91. Born on September 25, 1931 in Glace Bay, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, he was the son of Elizabeth (Phillips) Smith and Donald John Smith.
He grew up in Quincy and Hingham, MA and graduated from Hingham High School in 1949.
He served in the US Navy for four years, and graduated from the Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1961. Following his graduation, he and Beverly returned to Hingham where they raised their family, and where he began practicing small animal medicine. He was owner and managing partner of the Hingham Animal Clinic until his retirement in 2000. In 1983 he founded the non-profit New England Wildlife Center and he took great pride in witnessing its growth, thankful for the efforts of so many dedicated people through the years. The wildlife medical care and education center is now in its 40th year of service.
Donald is survived by his wife of 62 years, Beverly (Rowlings) Smith. He is also survived by his brother Roy B. Smith, D.V.M. (Sheila) of Round Rock, Texas, his daughters Diana Gallagher (Sean) of Hingham, Deborah Smith of Carver, Virginia Hartnett (James) of Exeter, NH, and by his grandchildren Heather Gallagher Byrnes (Daniel) of Quincy, Ruthanne Gallagher of Hingham, Catherine O’Neil Singleton (Tanner) of Murray, UT, Alicia Hartnett and Cole Hartnett, both of Exeter, NH, and by his great-grandson Benjamin Byrnes of Quincy. He is also survived by his sisters-in-law Virginia (Rowlings) Jackson of North Yarmouth, ME, and Diane (Kendrick) Rowlings of Chatham, MA, and many nieces and nephews.
One of his granddaughters spoke for many who knew him when she wrote: “He was a constant force for good who wanted nothing in return but his favorite chair and a glass of wine, a veterinarian and beloved patriarch who brought that gentleness to every aspect of his life.”
In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to the New England Wildlife Center, 500 Columbian Street, South Weymouth, MA 02190, or online at NEWildlife.org/donate.
A memorial service will be held on Thursday, March 16th at 1:00 pm at the Parish of St. John the Evangelist, 172 Main Street, Hingham. A reception will follow in Weld Hall.