The founder of one of Canada’s leading trucking companies and a well-known philanthropist has died.
Douglas Smith, founder of Manitoulin Transport passed Sunday, Aug. 2. He was 93.
Mr. Smith was born in Gore Bay, on Manitoulin Island in Ontario, Canada in 1933. His family had a wholesale grocery business that served shops across the island. After working briefly in banking in Toronto, Mr. Smith returned home and would later take over the family business.
He eventually sold the grocery business and in 1960 boiught Hill’s Transport, hauling products north from Toronto and shipping turkeys south from the Manitoulin co-operative.
Over the years, what was to become Manitoulin Transport grew and acquired several other trucking companies. Today, the comoany has 85 terminals in Canada and 300 service centers in the U.S.
In a social media post, the company said:
“It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Doug Smith (1933–2026), visionary founder of Manitoulin Transport, Member of the Order of Canada, and a true pioneer of the Canadian trucking industry.
“Doug’s leadership, resilience, and unwavering dedication reshaped transportation across the country. Even into his 90s, his passion for the business, love for his hometown of Gore Bay, Ontario, and lifelong loyalty to the Manitoulin family remained as strong as ever.
“True to Doug’s spirit, it is business as usual. Manitoulin remains fully committed to serving our customers and communities with the same integrity and dedication that defined his leadership.
“Together, we honour Doug’s legacy and the lasting impact he had on all who knew him, as well as countless others whose lives he touched through his philanthropy.”
In 2008, Mr. Smith received the Order of Canada for his contributions to the economic and social development of Northern Ontario.
Mr. Smith was well known for his generosity, contributing to numerous health care, cultural, sporting and civic causes and organizations.
And, he was a member of the Manitoulin Swing Band.
Mr. Smith is survived by his partner Nickie Hinds and sons Gord (Beth) and Jeff (Jillian), along with their families. His wife Phyllis passed in 2017.
The family plans to hold a celebration of Mr. Smith’s life in September.
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