Ted Smith Obituary: Rev. Edward “Ted” Joseph Smith Dies at 78 After 51 Years of Catholic Ministry
Ted Smith Obituary: Rev. Edward “Ted” Joseph Smith Dies at 78 After 51 Years of Catholic Ministry
Rev. Edward “Ted” Joseph Smith, the retired pastor of St. Paul’s Basilica in Toronto, has died at the age of 78.
Father Ted Smith died peacefully on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at Presentation Manor in Scarborough. He was remembered by the Catholic community as a priest whose ministry spanned more than five decades.
Born on August 8, 1947, Smith devoted his adult life to the Catholic priesthood and served the faithful in Toronto and surrounding communities.
Ted Smith Death & Obituary Details
Detail Information
Full Name Rev. Edward “Ted” Joseph Smith
Known As Father Ted Smith / Fr. Ted Smith
Date of Birth August 8, 1947
Date of Death March 21, 2026
Age 78
Place of Death Presentation Manor, Scarborough, Ontario
Location Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Profession Catholic priest
Known For Retired pastor of St. Paul’s Basilica
Years in Priesthood 51 years
Cause of Death Not publicly disclosed
Funeral Mass March 25, 2026, at 11:00 a.m.
Funeral Location St. Paul’s Basilica, 83 Power Street, Toronto
Interment Holy Cross Cemetery
Family Statement Not publicly detailed
Remembering Rev. Edward “Ted” Joseph Smith
For members of the Toronto Catholic community, Father Ted Smith’s name was closely associated with his years of pastoral ministry and service to the Church.
He served as pastor of St. Paul’s Basilica before retiring. His death was announced by the basilica on March 23, two days after his death, with the parish describing him as its retired pastor.
Smith was 78 and had reached his 51st year of priesthood, marking a remarkable period of religious service.
His ministry touched generations of parishioners, families and members of the wider Catholic community.
Father Ted Smith’s Ministry
Smith’s priesthood covered more than half a century, giving him a long connection with the Church and the people he served.
As pastor of St. Paul’s Basilica, he held a position of responsibility within one of Toronto’s historic Catholic parishes. His work involved the pastoral responsibilities at the heart of parish life, including accompanying members of the congregation through important moments of faith, family and community.
His retirement did not erase the connection he had built with the parish. His death has prompted remembrance among those who knew him through his years of ministry.
Cause of Death
The specific cause of Rev. Edward “Ted” Joseph Smith’s death has not been publicly disclosed.
His parish announcement stated that he died peacefully on March 21, 2026, at Presentation Manor in Scarborough, at the age of 78. No further medical details were provided
Funeral and Memorial Arrangements
A Funeral Mass for Father Ted Smith was scheduled for Wednesday, March 25, 2026, at 11 a.m. at St. Paul’s Basilica, 83 Power Street, Toronto.
Interment was scheduled to take place at Holy Cross Cemetery.
The funeral arrangements provided an opportunity for parishioners, fellow clergy, friends and members of the Catholic community to gather and remember a priest whose ministry extended across 51 years.
Legacy
Father Ted Smith leaves behind a legacy defined by a lifetime of priestly service.
For 51 years, the priesthood was at the center of his life. His years as pastor of St. Paul’s Basilica further connected his name with a parish community that he served before retirement.
While details of his personal life and family have not been extensively made public, his professional legacy is clear: decades devoted to Catholic ministry and pastoral care.
His death represents the end of a long chapter of service for a priest who dedicated more than half a century to his vocation.
May Rev. Edward “Ted” Joseph Smith rest in peace.
Disclaimer
This article is based on publicly available information available at the time of publication. Details concerning Rev. Edward “Ted” Joseph Smith’s death, cause of death, funeral arrangements and other personal circumstances may change as additional verified information becomes available. Unconfirmed claims or speculation should not be treated as established fact. This article may be updated when reliable information is released.
