The family of Anthony Smolders wish to announce “Tony’s” passing. Tony died peacefully in Toronto on July 24th 2020 at Belmont House. Tony was predeceased by his wife Johanna (Kerkhoven); his 5 siblings, Jan, Ad, Riet, Henk and Mien and by his eldest son Joseph Smolders.
Tony is survived by his sister Roos (husband Jo) Tilburg; son Paul (Izabella), daughter Carla (Ben) and grandchildren Bentley, Leo, (Chayanuth ), Mercedes (Felipe), Emil, Andy and Michael and great granddaughter Mercedes Alejandra.
Tony was born on May 29th 1923 in Tilburg, The Netherlands. He was the eldest of 7 children. After WWII, he moved to Curacao in the Dutch West Indies. There Tony met Johanna Kerkhoven and they were married on September 4th, 1948. Joseph and Paul were both born in Curacao and then the family moved to Toronto where Carla was born. Tony was an exceptionally involved and active “dad” who corralled all the neighbourhood kids for weekly tobogganing trips to the “steepest” hills such as Church Hill Park and Albion Hills. There are numerous broken bone stories to be told with the old wooden toboggans. In the summer, he could be located with the neighbourhood kids playing a game of pick up soccer in High Park. He was a Scout Leader and led many trips for Joe and Paul. We remember fondly our annual summer camping experiences with Dad, venturing to the Adirondacks, Algonquin, Bon Echo and various other camp grounds. Dad was a handy man and was very proud of his one wheeled trailer invention. It worked very well on smooth pavement when driving forward. But each time we drove over a railroad crossing, we all had to get out of the car and lift up our home made trailer, as the single wheel would never land correctly. Backing up was a problem too, and the drives took longer than expected. But they were fun. Tony was also a champion chess player and he taught his kids to play, much to his disappointment, they never reached his level of skill.
When Dad was not with his kids, you could find him at the many dance halls across the city, such as Sunnyside Dance Pavilion, or playing tennis at the North York Tennis Club. After retirement, Tony took up golf, enjoying the reduced senior rates at the various public golf courses across Toronto.
Tony’s final years were spent at Belmont House in Toronto. It is said it “takes a village to raise a child”… the same can be said for the last chapter of life. The staff at Belmont House, from medical, nursing, kitchen, cleaning, recreation, physiotherapy, pastoral services, music therapy, art therapy and pet therapy, are second to none. Belmont House has had no resident test positive for COVID. Their professionalism and competence in infection control speak to this outcome. We are very grateful to the nursing and medical team for his last days, ensuring his comfort was paramount.
Thank You.
Paul and Carla would like to especially thank Carmen who became Dad’s soulmate and companion after Mom passed in 2007. Carmen has cared for Dad as lovingly as any parent would care for their newborn. Carmen’s huge heart and deep love which are as big and deep as the ocean she grew up beside, kept Tony going to 97.
Anyone wishing to honour Tony, may do so by making a donation in his name to Belmont House. A celebration of Tony’s life will be held at a later date. He has been interred at Holy Cross Cemetery.
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