Ottawa philanthropist, restauranteur Dave Smith dies

Dave Smith, founder of the Dave Smith Youth Treatment Centre and Ottawa’s Nate’s Deli, has died. 

The youth centre announced the passing of Smith in a Twitter post Friday evening. 

He was 87 years old.

“We’re all profoundly sad after hearing the news of Dave’s passing,” said Mike Beauchesne, executive director of the Dave Smith Youth Treatment Centre, in the post. “Part of what made him so remarkable was his unwavering determination to take action to fix what he saw as severe concerns in the community. The facility that bears his name will serve as a constant reminder of the genuine care and compassion he showed for all of us at the Centre, particularly the youth and families we serve.”

According to the centre’s website, Smith was raised in Ottawa by Russian-Jewish parents and had 12 brothers and sisters. 

Smith opened Nate’s Deli in1959 and a decade later, The Place Next Door steak and seafood restaurant.

He founded the youth centre in 1993 to help young people with substance abuse and mental health issues. 

“Dave Smith cared for everybody, but particularly the young people in our community,” said David Kinsman, Chair of the DSYTC Board of Directors, in the post. “He was a visionary and established a facility to help kids with alcohol and substance issues decades before the problem was widely recognized. Every life that was turned around at his facility was the source of great joy for him.”

Clients and staff at the three centre sites will honour Smith in a variety of ways over the coming days and weeks. 

A public memorial will be held at a later date when COVID-19 restrictions ease and a gathering is permitted.