Brother Don Smith

Brother Donald V. Smith, M.S., 92, a Missionary of Our Lady of LaSalette, died on December 4, 2025, at Holly Hill Nursing Home in Sulphur, LA. He was born on August 29, 1933, in Kingston, New York to John C. and Angela D. (McNamara) Smith. He attended St. Mary School in Kingston, New York. Brother Don entered the LaSalette seminary in Hartford, Connecticut on September 7, 1948. He transferred to the LaSalette seminary in Jefferson City, Missouri and studied there from 1948 to June of 1952. He entered the Novitiate on March 19, 1953, in Bloomfield, CT, making his First Vows on March 19, 1954. His Perpetual Vows were made on March 19, 1959, at the St. Louis Provincial House in St. Louis, MO.

Brother Don ministered at the St. Louis Provincial House until 1958, where he was assigned to St. Peter Church in Hackberry, LA. He assignment was described as ‘an experimental step towards expanding the participation of Missionary Brothers in the apostolic work of the Fathers.” From 1969 until 2017, he was a Pastoral Associate at Our Lady of Prompt Succor Parish, Sulphur, LA; St. Bonaventure Parish, Avondale, LA, and St. Joseph Parish, DeRidder, LA, St. Peter the Apostle, Hackberry, LA, Our Lady of LaSalette, Sulphur, LA, St. Patrick Parish, Lufkin, TX, Our Lady of Sorrows Parish, Jacksonville, TX, St. Michael Parish, Jasper, TX, and Mary Queen Parish, Friendswood, TX. He was also a member of the LaSalette community in St. Louis, MO.

In the Serra Club of West Calcasieu newsletter, Brother Don described his legacy as, “Working with people in Church Parishes in Texas and Louisiana; hoping that in the future there will always be enough Priests, Brothers and Sisters to keep the work of God going strong; that all of us would take time to listen to others, especially those who are having problems.”

In addition to his LaSalette Community, Brother Smith, M.S. is survived by his sister, Dolores Weeks of New York and many nieces and nephews and cousins that he truly loved and prayed for. He was preceded in death by his parents, and two brothers, Jim Smith and Robert Smith.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, at 10 AM Our Lady of LaSalette Catholic Church with Father Ron Foshage, M.S. officiating. Burial will follow at Mimosa Pines Cemetery in Carlyss, LA. Visitation for Brother Don will be held on Monday, December 8, 2025, at Johnson Funeral Home of Sulphur from 4 PM to 8 PM with a rosary prayed at 5 PM.

Contributions in his memory may be made to: Missionaries of Our Lady of LaSalette Retirement Fund, P.O. Box 331370, West Hartford, CT 06133.